Comments...

I commented on Bon Qui Qui's blog titled "18 v. 21: The Legal Drinking Age".  The post is easy to read and flows nicely.  I like the fact that it applies to us (college students), making it easier to comment and voice my opinion.  If you had a rowdy Spring Break in Mexico, it would be nice to hear your feedback!  Maybe even provide us with some crazy stories? 

Reaping the Benefits

Mark Bauerlein, author of the book The Dumbest Generation, explains how our generation has a number of benefits due to today’s media. We are using sophisticated technology that was not available during our parent’s generation. It is amazing how children as young as 6 months are familiar with the technological devices being used.  

Bauerlein argues how the “Millennials”, our generation, is flourishing in a Digital Revolution. Our parents did not have half of these advances that are available to us today. The “Millenials” are constantly texting on their cell phones, surfing the Internet, beating the tenth level on a video game, and trying to uncover an unsolved mystery on their favorite TV show. The media allows us to enter a new world, explore, and discover. “Millenials” are learning from the media and understanding more information than their parent’s generation.

I believe we are not the dumber generation but we learn differently. In his book, Baurelin refers to a higher-ed consultant named Richard T. Sweeney. He says, “they want to learn only what they have to learn, and they want to learn it in a different style that is best from them” (86). Students are flourishing and understanding the world through the media’s eyes. Our generation is forced to learn in a unique way.  

The media lets us determine what comes next. While books “involve judgment”, they “don’t allow the readers to determine the next chapter or decide a character’s fate” (88). In gaming, we are learning to make decisions. On the Internet we are able to “pool knowledge and compare notes with others toward a common goal” (84). We are gaining several perspectives opposed to one.  

Our generation is not dumber but receiving a different education. We are “beginning to mobilize (through the Web)” and we are “forming (our) own ways of learning” (85). The Web and the media is a tool opening our brains to understand and explore new concepts. The “Millenials” have a number of options which are broadening our horizons (opportunities) for learning and becoming smarter.

Comments...

I commented on Dyvrsity's blog about Did She Deliver Her Baby On Stage?  The post was interesting because I was not familiar with what went on at the Grammys.  Apparently M.I.A. is 9 months pregnant and performed on her baby's due date!   I would definitely check out this post!

Alone Time

My roommate and I recently decided to part ways.  Our schedules have conflicted since the beginning of the semester, which has made our living situation difficult.  We made a mutual decision to spilt up.  I would move out of Boaz and my new home would become a single in Morrison McGinnis.  At first I was a little nervous to make this big change.  Then I realized how nice it was going to be to be living in a single.  A room all to myself.  No more getting dressed in the dark and no more late night trips to Fondren.

The whole process seemed to fly by.  My Mom helped me move all of my belongings in a day.  Although it was stressful to have to move all of my things out, it was fun having my Mom here to help me.  She told me that it was probably best that I did not have a roommate because she would probably be annoyed with all the stuff I would bring in.  I was soon settled and began my new life in Morrison McGinnis.

The first night I sat in my single and there was not a sound.  No one running through the halls, no one coming in and out of my room, and no music blaring.  My lifestyle changed instantly.  I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. that night studying for a test.  I woke up the next morning to get in another hour of studying.  I was unable to study this effectively with a roommate.

  I thought moving to a different dorm would cause me to lose touch with my friends from Boaz, but I am always making trips back there.  No one treats me as an outsider but as if I still lived on their floor. 

Kathleen may be my ex-roommate but she is still my best friend.  People are quick to judge.  They think that just because we made the decision to spilt up that we are no longer friends.  This is definitely not the case.  In fact, I believe this change will allow Kathleen and I to become better friends.  She will be able to concentrate on track and I will be able to concentrate on my studies.  Everything works out in the end.  I think we will both benefit from this change, and it will change our friendship for the better. 

Comments...

I commented on Bon Qui Qui's blog about a Cruel Initiation.  I thought the post was well- written and very interesting.  It opened my eyes up to something I was not aware of at all.  I would definitely take a look at this post!

FORGIVE AND FORGET

Michael Phelps, 14 time gold medalist winner, was caught smoking a marijuana pipe.  On November 6, "weeks after his Beijing triumph, 23 year old Phelps surprised students at the University of South Carolina in Columbia by showing up unannounced at a house party" (News of the World).  

After reading this article, I began to feel sorry for him.  He is under such scrutiny.  Although I think it was a dumb decision on his part, I think that he is truly sorry.  I think the public should take it easy on him.  I watched a video on youtube and it brought up a very good point.  CNN is interviewing Eric Hirshberg who states how "this kind of thing is harder for his image to sustain than someone with a bad boy image".  This type of thing would not hurt Kid Rock, it probably would not be thought twice about.  But because Michael Phelps is a "golden boy" this picture could cause him to lose endorsements and hurt his image.  

The poor guy made a mistake.  In the article on News of the World, they are bashing him.  It states how he was drinking a ton of alcohol and grabbed the marijuana pipe with no hesitation.  He knew how to smoke the pipe.  An on looker said, "he looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool.  He was the gold medal winner of bong hits."  All the statements in this article are making Michael Phelps look like a terrible person.  I think we should give him a break.  He is 23 years old and had a slip up, just as long as it does not happen again I think the public should forgive and move on! 

Rowdy or Relaxing Spring Break?

As we enter a new semester and are reunited with all of our friends, the topic of Spring Break is being tossed around. From picking out a hotel to buying a plane ticket, I realize that I am going to have to put down a large amount of cash.
The recent buzz of Spring Break is overwhelming. Everyone wants to get their plans in order, so they can have the most unforgettable, out of control week. At first, I fought my Mom about going to Mexico. I would be with all of my SMU friends. From all the boys to all the girls I have talked to, it seems like it’s going to be the “hot spot”. It would be my first time in Mexico, as a teenager, and I can’t imagine all the crazy things that would be going on. Then I realized that Mexico would consist of booze, bars, and boys and that is not the way I would want to spend my Spring Break.
I realized that instead of having a rowdy Spring Break in Mexico, I’d rather spend that week relaxing. This year I’m headed to St. Thomas with my best friend and her family. I am absolutely thrilled to go because I have never been. After doing some research on St. Thomas I have become more familiar and excited with my Spring Break plans.
Usually, I never want to miss out and love being present at every social function. I am passing up a party for relaxation on a warm beach. I figured I make my Mom happy by not going to Mexico and obviously make myself happy by going to St. Thomas. It is a win win situation. Are you ready to get rowdy on Spring Break or relax?