Keyboard Cat
Treadmill Cats
Barking Cat
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Cat Videos
We've all seen them, their arguable the best thing on the internet, and they're what we watch when we're bored. Yes, they are cat videos, and they're spreading around the globe like wildfire. I mean, what's funnier than a cat playing a keyboard, or a cat running on a treadmill? Or--my personal favorite--a cat barking, and then switching to meowing once he spots a human. This hilarious revelation, the cat video revelation, makes it necessary for me to share some of these videos with you.
Starbucksization
Personally, I love Starbucks. Their gourmet drinks are completely worth the price, and my personal favorite is caramel hot chocolate with whipped cream. I've only actually had a coffee based drink twice, as I'm not a big fan of coffee, but from Starbucks it's actually quite decent. And the typical, warm coffee shop atmosphere gives off a nice jazzy vibe that no one can quite resist. My boyfriend and I spent a great deal of time at Starbucks this past winter. It got to the point where the employees at our local Starbucks knew us as a couple, and they knew our "usuals". They really took the time to make us feel welcome.
While Starbucks has great drinks, they also have a great rewards program. Christmas and my birthday are within a month away from each other, so I receive a great deal of Starbucks gift cards around that time of year. If you register your gift cards, Starbucks sends you a free drink on your birthday. They also have different levels of rewards: a welcome level, a green level, and a gold level. You earn stars every time you make a purchase with your gift card, and once you accumulate a certain number of stars, you move up a level and get better rewards. The welcome level is simply the drink on your birthday, while the green level gets you free syrup and soy milk in your drink, free refills, and a free drink if you buy coffee beans. I recently became a Starbucks "gold level" member, after being a "green level" member for a little over a year. For being a gold level member, I get my own Starbucks gold card. It even has my name on it. Every time I use that card at Starbucks, I earn more stars. With the gold card, you get the free drink on your birthday, all the benefits of green level, plus special limited time offers by email, the gold card, and a free drink every fifteen stars. Now that, my friends, is worth it.
April is Starbucks' Global Service month. They're raising $4 million to give to non-profit organizations in the U.S. With your Starbucks rewards cards, you can go online and vote to help choose how Starbucks distributes the $4 million. This way, the customers, who are the ones providing the funds, get some say in where the money goes. You can choose one of four options to send the money: Community Housing Initiatives, DonorsChoose.org (helps teachers and funds educational expenditures), Family Resources, or Opportunity Finance Network. Another good thing is that the voting is personalized by state, so the money goes to organizations right here in Iowa. Admit it, Starbucks is saving the world one blended coffee drink at a time.
Starbucks has over 5,500 coffee houses in 58 countries throughout the world. Even in the U.S., Starbucks is everywhere. Last summer, I went on a trip to Washington, D.C., and there was a Starbucks store in nearly every place we stopped. This is good--they're providing high-quality drinks to everyone everywhere. Starbucks is committed to adapting to the culture of their surroundings, and they understand that their success cannot just be flaunted, I guess you could say Starbucks is a modest coffee company.They believe it is their responsibility to respect the rights, reason, and lifestyle of the people they serve, it even says so in their mission statement. This company, based out of Seattle, Washington, is truly one of a kind.
So go to Starbucks. Get your rewards, your gourmet hot chocolate/latte/coffee. Relax. Enjoy your day. Starbucks wants you to.
Prom
Last night, my school held it's annual senior prom. I'm a junior, and I didn't get asked to go by a senior, and thus, I did not attend the senior prom. Curse my school for not having a junior prom, I guess? Anyway. For those of you who don't know what prom is (let's be honest, everyone knows what prom is), it's the one night of the year that seniors live for. People spend months (literally months) preparing for this one night. My question is, what's all the fuss about?
Teenagers spend hundreds, perhaps even close to a thousand dollars on just one night. A girl's prom dress typically ranges from $150-$600, but there are always the exceptions that are lower or higher. A tuxedo typically costs $80-$250 to rent, depending on where you go. Then there's the dance, which costs about $40-$80, and the dinner, about $40-$60 depending on where you go, and the after prom admission, about $15. Then there's the pictures, which are about $30-$50, and the flowers, probably around $30-$35 total. According to the Denver Post, the average cost of prom is $1,078, but in the Midwest it's much lower, at $696. Still, spending $700 on one night alone is to me, ridiculous. All of that money turns into a memory, hopefully a good one, but a memory that could just as easily be made spending much less.
Now, you ask, how do we save on prom? Everyone spends that much on prom, it's the thing to do. Not necessarily, though. The dress, of course, is all about personal opinion. It's all about how important having the right dress is, and how much you're willing to spend on it. When my sister went to prom, she spent almost nothing on her dress, because my grandma sewed it for her. So if you know somebody that can sew, by all means, get a dress customized specially for you. A tux is a different story of course, but you can always borrow one for low cost, or rent one at a low cost as well. Saving money on dinner is easy--have a fun candlelit dinner at home. If your parents are nice, they can cook and serve you, if not, you can just make your own dinner. You can eat your favorite foods and save money. Now, there's not much you can do about the price of tickets and pictures, but holding back on the clothes and dinner can certainly leave hundreds in your bank account.
Prom shouldn't be about spending money, it should be about making a great memory, as well as ending your senior year with a bang. Of course, it's worth it when you can skip school the Monday after prom (aka Senior Skip Day), but it really shouldn't be about who looked the best. Everyone can look good on prom night, without spending their entire life savings.
Teenagers spend hundreds, perhaps even close to a thousand dollars on just one night. A girl's prom dress typically ranges from $150-$600, but there are always the exceptions that are lower or higher. A tuxedo typically costs $80-$250 to rent, depending on where you go. Then there's the dance, which costs about $40-$80, and the dinner, about $40-$60 depending on where you go, and the after prom admission, about $15. Then there's the pictures, which are about $30-$50, and the flowers, probably around $30-$35 total. According to the Denver Post, the average cost of prom is $1,078, but in the Midwest it's much lower, at $696. Still, spending $700 on one night alone is to me, ridiculous. All of that money turns into a memory, hopefully a good one, but a memory that could just as easily be made spending much less.
Now, you ask, how do we save on prom? Everyone spends that much on prom, it's the thing to do. Not necessarily, though. The dress, of course, is all about personal opinion. It's all about how important having the right dress is, and how much you're willing to spend on it. When my sister went to prom, she spent almost nothing on her dress, because my grandma sewed it for her. So if you know somebody that can sew, by all means, get a dress customized specially for you. A tux is a different story of course, but you can always borrow one for low cost, or rent one at a low cost as well. Saving money on dinner is easy--have a fun candlelit dinner at home. If your parents are nice, they can cook and serve you, if not, you can just make your own dinner. You can eat your favorite foods and save money. Now, there's not much you can do about the price of tickets and pictures, but holding back on the clothes and dinner can certainly leave hundreds in your bank account.
Prom shouldn't be about spending money, it should be about making a great memory, as well as ending your senior year with a bang. Of course, it's worth it when you can skip school the Monday after prom (aka Senior Skip Day), but it really shouldn't be about who looked the best. Everyone can look good on prom night, without spending their entire life savings.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Modern Teenage Relationship
Relationships are like a game, and you and your partner are a team. You go through various stages of the game together, battling against people, school, and all other forms of obstacles that might arise. Once you've conquered all the obstacles and made it through, you've won the game.
The game starts off easy. You and your partner are all eyes for each other, and it seems that nothing can stand in your way. You pass simple obstacles, like dealing with parents and homework, in favor of decent options, like phone calls and movie dates. Each day you spend with your partner is equivalent to three times the number of days you wish you could spend with them. Luckily, your partner feels the same way, and you both go out of your way to see each other. You think every little thing that person does is cute: the way they tuck their hair behind their ears or the way they blush when talking about you. The way they leave an exact 15 percent tip on a dinner date or the way they like butter on their popcorn. Every little thing they do makes you like them even more. That's why this stage of the game is the easiest.
Stage Two. You're starting to get to know your partner better. You know what they like and dislike, you know their favorite movie and food and color. By this time, you're probably getting close to meeting each other's parents and/or families. You want nothing more than to impress his or her parents, than to be accepted by a family that's so different from yours. Their parents either love you, and everything is nice and grand, or they hate you, and that's a new obstacle you have to deal with. But if the latter is true, your partner typically stands by your side and defends you, rather than siding with his or her parents. If both your partner and their parents are against you for some reason, you lose the game at stage two.
Stage Three. Once you've gotten through meeting their parents, you've reached a new level in your relationship. You're at the point where your movie and ice cream dates get boring, and you start trying new things together. Perhaps you scope out all of the restaurants in town that neither of you have been to, and make a goal to try them all. Maybe you set aside one night a week for a few games of bowling. Perhaps you drive around to find new parks or places to enjoy the outdoors. Whatever it is, you find new ways of enjoying each other's company. You're no longer shy or nervous around the other. You start to have more in depth conversations, perhaps learning about the other's past or just learning more things about each other. This is perhaps the best stage in the game, because you feel close to the person without feeling smothered.
Stage Four. This is when things start to turn around. I'm not an expert, I don't know why relationships are this way. For whatever reason, the little things that person does that you once thought were cute start to become annoying. When they're calculating the exact 15 percent of a tip, you become impatient, slap a couple bucks on the table, and walk to the car, instead of oogling over the amazing math skills of your partner. This is the stage that separates the strong relationships from the weak, since weak relationships don't usually make it past this stage.
Stage Five. You've been with this person for a while, and you've spent a few holidays or maybe birthdays together. You feel as if you know everything there is to know about that person. Your date nights become less exciting, but you still like revisiting old memories. You know what's special for that person, and you're not afraid to go out of your way for them. But things are turning around, as you start to push each other aside. It becomes less of an issue to impress that person, because you feel as if you already have them for good. Suddenly things seem dull and boring, and every little thing becomes a big problem. You turn from optimistic about your relationship to pessimistic about your relationship. You're not afraid to get upset with that person and they will certainly get upset with you. This is when all the backbone of your relationship is revealed, and sometimes it's not all that stable.
I respect happily married couples. It's hard to find someone who cares about you, who is willing to go out of their way to make you happy, who you're willing to put up with for the rest of your life, and vice versa. A spouse is the one family member you get to choose, and then you're stuck with them for the rest of your life. So choose wisely, I suppose?
It's funny how things do and don't work out. Most teenage relationships last only months, they don't even make it to the one year mark. Of course, we've all heard of exceptions. If only we knew those exceptions' secrets. Then we would be golden.
Stage Two. You're starting to get to know your partner better. You know what they like and dislike, you know their favorite movie and food and color. By this time, you're probably getting close to meeting each other's parents and/or families. You want nothing more than to impress his or her parents, than to be accepted by a family that's so different from yours. Their parents either love you, and everything is nice and grand, or they hate you, and that's a new obstacle you have to deal with. But if the latter is true, your partner typically stands by your side and defends you, rather than siding with his or her parents. If both your partner and their parents are against you for some reason, you lose the game at stage two.
Stage Three. Once you've gotten through meeting their parents, you've reached a new level in your relationship. You're at the point where your movie and ice cream dates get boring, and you start trying new things together. Perhaps you scope out all of the restaurants in town that neither of you have been to, and make a goal to try them all. Maybe you set aside one night a week for a few games of bowling. Perhaps you drive around to find new parks or places to enjoy the outdoors. Whatever it is, you find new ways of enjoying each other's company. You're no longer shy or nervous around the other. You start to have more in depth conversations, perhaps learning about the other's past or just learning more things about each other. This is perhaps the best stage in the game, because you feel close to the person without feeling smothered.
Stage Four. This is when things start to turn around. I'm not an expert, I don't know why relationships are this way. For whatever reason, the little things that person does that you once thought were cute start to become annoying. When they're calculating the exact 15 percent of a tip, you become impatient, slap a couple bucks on the table, and walk to the car, instead of oogling over the amazing math skills of your partner. This is the stage that separates the strong relationships from the weak, since weak relationships don't usually make it past this stage.
Stage Five. You've been with this person for a while, and you've spent a few holidays or maybe birthdays together. You feel as if you know everything there is to know about that person. Your date nights become less exciting, but you still like revisiting old memories. You know what's special for that person, and you're not afraid to go out of your way for them. But things are turning around, as you start to push each other aside. It becomes less of an issue to impress that person, because you feel as if you already have them for good. Suddenly things seem dull and boring, and every little thing becomes a big problem. You turn from optimistic about your relationship to pessimistic about your relationship. You're not afraid to get upset with that person and they will certainly get upset with you. This is when all the backbone of your relationship is revealed, and sometimes it's not all that stable.
I respect happily married couples. It's hard to find someone who cares about you, who is willing to go out of their way to make you happy, who you're willing to put up with for the rest of your life, and vice versa. A spouse is the one family member you get to choose, and then you're stuck with them for the rest of your life. So choose wisely, I suppose?
It's funny how things do and don't work out. Most teenage relationships last only months, they don't even make it to the one year mark. Of course, we've all heard of exceptions. If only we knew those exceptions' secrets. Then we would be golden.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Orange Leaf v. Coldstone
I remember going to Coldstone on a Friday night and waiting in a long line to get my delectable frozen treat. I remember watching the worker as they mixed in all of my favorites--brownies, sprinkles oreos...
Now, I'm on the other side of that experience. Working at Coldstone has been nothing but great. It's fun, you learn a lot, and you get free ice cream (Who doesn't love free ice cream?!). But ever since two Orange Leaf stores opened in my city, business has been seriously lacking. That is simply business, competition and all. But I've taken the time to scope out the competition, and though it's safe to say I'm biased, I would choose Coldstone over Orange Leaf any day, even if I didn't work at Coldstone.
First, there's the whole ice cream-yogurt debate. People say that yogurt is better for you, which may be true in some circumstances, but in frozen yogurt that is meant to look and taste like ice cream, many artificial creams, sweeteners, and dyes are added to thicken the yogurt, while ice cream is made from all natural dairy products. Coldstone also makes their own ice cream in every store, every morning. No shipments are made---there are no need for them. Everything is made fresh and made in-store.
Second, there's the physical appearance of the store. My theory is that this is Orange Leaf's go-getter technique, the reason they are so busy all the time. They have fun circular tables at all different heights, and some spinny chairs to go along with them. They also have orange and white couches and low tables with strange orange plastic chairs. Their lime green walls provide a sharp, fun contrast to the orange atmosphere. Every time I walk into Orange Leaf, my day feels happier. The bright colors are addictive to the human eye. Orange Leaf gives people a new, innovative feel. It feels like the ice cream store of the future, which is why so many people choose Orange Leaf over Coldstone. Coldstone is out and Orange Leaf is just sooooo in.
But how clean is Orange Leaf? Last time I went there, my feet stuck to the floor. As I walked around the room, choosing my various frozen yogurt flavors and candies, my feet stuck with every step. Like, is it really that hard to mop every once in a while. There were three employees working at the time, and all of them were simply standing behind the counter. So not only do the employees not have to make and serve ice cream to their customers, since Orange Leaf is a self-serve ice cream store, but they don't even keep the store clean while they're working.
At Coldstone, you will never find a sticky floor, or even a sticky table. We are simply not allowed to stand around, and we're not lazy enough to do so anyway. If we're not busy making creations for customers, we are cleaning. We clean the floors, the tables the chairs, the counters, the glass--you name it, it's clean. But unlike Orange Leaf, we scoop the fresh ice cream and add in the mix-ins ourselves, instead of our customers doing it. Which raises the question: which is more important, the ice cream or the service? Good thing Coldstone excels in both.
Finally, there's the cost. Yes, I admit, Orange Leaf is cheaper. And with today's economy, it makes sense why people go there. Orange Leaf charges 45 cents per ounces, ranging from about $3-7 total depending on how much ice cream you get. Coldstone prices vary depending on how many mix-ins you add, and range from about $4-8 total, but we also have 99 cent cones which are popular as well. But with Coldstone, you get plenty of ice cream for the total price you pay, and remember, it's not processed, but made right in the store.
So finally we weigh the pros and cons. Yes, Orange Leaf is about a dollar cheaper than what you would pay for the same amount of ice cream at Coldstone, but Coldstone has real ice cream with fresh mix-ins, and nothing artificial. Coldstone also has better service, as we go out of our way to help customers, and we keep our stores much cleaner. I think we all know the obvious choice.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Food.
When I first started dating my boyfriend, I warned him that I am the pickiest eater he will ever meet. He completely doubted me. "There's no way you're pickier than me," he said.
"Wanna bet?"
I was born with a curse. My entire life, I have been the pickiest eater ever. I will not eat most vegetables or fruit, I gag at the scent of peanut butter. I'm not the biggest fan of meat, except chicken. Yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk make my stomach turn. My theory is that it's not really the taste of food that scares me away (athough there are some foods that taste straight up terrible). I honestly think the scent and texture of foods play a bigger role in the decision of whether or not I will eat them. To me, those senses are a lot more profound than just taste.
I also cannot swallow a pill. Included in my theory is the idea that this is connected to the whole texture issue. My mom always says that it's "just in my mind" but it's also a physical thing--the pill simply will not go down. If I have to take a pill, I crush it up in applesauce.
Speaking of applesauce, I only like the cinnamon kind. I like apples, but I don't like the way you can taste the chunks of apples in the applesauce. Add a little cinnamon, and the problem seems much less prominent, as the chunks seem like cinnamon.
My diet consists mainly of noodles, along with other grains. I eat lots and lots (and lots) of mac n' cheese (healthy, I know). I like Italian sauces like cheese sauce and Alfredo sauce with my noodles, but I stay away from meat and red sauce. I also really like bread. Especially if there's cheese on it, but not Swiss cheese. I also enjoy eating bread sticks with my noodles.
I do not have OCD, but I always make sure my food is free of any toxins like chopped up onions or celery, lettuce or tomato. If this means picking them one by one out of my taco meat then so be it (speaking of tacos I like mine very specific--soft shell with only beef and cheese, as long as there is no spicy seasoning). I also make sure that no food on my plate comes in contact with another food. Combining foods is just a plain no-no.
I only eat one thing at a time, saving the best for last of course. However, I find this difficult at times because if I take too much food (or am served too much food) I will end up full before I even get to the best item. Because of this, I try to compare my hunger with the amount of food on my plate, and eat the largest percent of the best item (usually mac n' cheese).
You might think this is damaging to my health, and you're right. The only way to control my weight is by limiting what I eat, which isn't that much of a problem. But being as picky as I am really sucks sometimes. My diet does not consist of enough variety, and I'm really sick of lectures from my parents and my doctor. A bad diet, combined with very little sleep (which describes me) is not healthy at all.
My metabolism is what keeps me going. I'm not fat, but I'm not skinny either, and up until now my metabolism has kept me looking like a stick. Slowly but surely, my metabolism is beginning to slow down, which means slowly but surely I continue to gain weight.
I only wish there was something I could do to be healthy (besides adapting to new foods, of course). This curse really takes a toll on my life, because it's impossible to go out to eat without ordering the same thing every time (chicken strips, a cheese quesadilla, noodles). My parents get so fed up with me never eating what they cook for dinner. And as for my health, well, it's only downhill from here.
So I've proved my boyfriend wrong--I am the pickiest person he's ever met. But maybe that's not such a good thing after all.
"Wanna bet?"
I was born with a curse. My entire life, I have been the pickiest eater ever. I will not eat most vegetables or fruit, I gag at the scent of peanut butter. I'm not the biggest fan of meat, except chicken. Yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk make my stomach turn. My theory is that it's not really the taste of food that scares me away (athough there are some foods that taste straight up terrible). I honestly think the scent and texture of foods play a bigger role in the decision of whether or not I will eat them. To me, those senses are a lot more profound than just taste.
I also cannot swallow a pill. Included in my theory is the idea that this is connected to the whole texture issue. My mom always says that it's "just in my mind" but it's also a physical thing--the pill simply will not go down. If I have to take a pill, I crush it up in applesauce.
Speaking of applesauce, I only like the cinnamon kind. I like apples, but I don't like the way you can taste the chunks of apples in the applesauce. Add a little cinnamon, and the problem seems much less prominent, as the chunks seem like cinnamon.
My diet consists mainly of noodles, along with other grains. I eat lots and lots (and lots) of mac n' cheese (healthy, I know). I like Italian sauces like cheese sauce and Alfredo sauce with my noodles, but I stay away from meat and red sauce. I also really like bread. Especially if there's cheese on it, but not Swiss cheese. I also enjoy eating bread sticks with my noodles.
I do not have OCD, but I always make sure my food is free of any toxins like chopped up onions or celery, lettuce or tomato. If this means picking them one by one out of my taco meat then so be it (speaking of tacos I like mine very specific--soft shell with only beef and cheese, as long as there is no spicy seasoning). I also make sure that no food on my plate comes in contact with another food. Combining foods is just a plain no-no.
I only eat one thing at a time, saving the best for last of course. However, I find this difficult at times because if I take too much food (or am served too much food) I will end up full before I even get to the best item. Because of this, I try to compare my hunger with the amount of food on my plate, and eat the largest percent of the best item (usually mac n' cheese).
You might think this is damaging to my health, and you're right. The only way to control my weight is by limiting what I eat, which isn't that much of a problem. But being as picky as I am really sucks sometimes. My diet does not consist of enough variety, and I'm really sick of lectures from my parents and my doctor. A bad diet, combined with very little sleep (which describes me) is not healthy at all.
My metabolism is what keeps me going. I'm not fat, but I'm not skinny either, and up until now my metabolism has kept me looking like a stick. Slowly but surely, my metabolism is beginning to slow down, which means slowly but surely I continue to gain weight.
I only wish there was something I could do to be healthy (besides adapting to new foods, of course). This curse really takes a toll on my life, because it's impossible to go out to eat without ordering the same thing every time (chicken strips, a cheese quesadilla, noodles). My parents get so fed up with me never eating what they cook for dinner. And as for my health, well, it's only downhill from here.
So I've proved my boyfriend wrong--I am the pickiest person he's ever met. But maybe that's not such a good thing after all.
Show Choir Auditions.
This past Wednesday, my school held its annual Show Choir Auditions. Despite what you may think, this is not really a fun process for anyone. Here's how the process works:
Step One: Pick a song and practice it (Some people choose to skip this step).
Step Two: Fill out an audition form, indicating which groups your are auditioning for, what voice part you sing, what your schedule is like, etc.
Step Three: Sign up for an audition slot. First come first served.
Step Four: Show up at your designated audition time. Then, walk into the choir room, sign your name, and DO NOT BY ANY MEANS talk.
Step Five: Sing your audition song that you may or may not have rehearsed.
Step Six: Walk out of the choir room and DO NOT BY ANY MEANS talk.
Step Seven: Wait.
Oh yeah, did I mention it's a blind audition? ;)
So as you can see, the actual process is quite simple. It takes about 25 seconds per person. The waiting is much harder--waiting for call back lists, waiting for dance auditions, waiting for (sigh) THE LIST. The list that either does or does not contain the very name in which your parents gave you when you were born. The list that changes your life for the next year or so. The list that determines whether you yourself will be in show choir.
This all might seem very dramatic--and it is. Hundreds (literally) of people don't make it into show choir each year. Sighhhh.
I guess all I can do now is wait.
Step One: Pick a song and practice it (Some people choose to skip this step).
Step Two: Fill out an audition form, indicating which groups your are auditioning for, what voice part you sing, what your schedule is like, etc.
Step Three: Sign up for an audition slot. First come first served.
Step Four: Show up at your designated audition time. Then, walk into the choir room, sign your name, and DO NOT BY ANY MEANS talk.
Step Five: Sing your audition song that you may or may not have rehearsed.
Step Six: Walk out of the choir room and DO NOT BY ANY MEANS talk.
Step Seven: Wait.
Oh yeah, did I mention it's a blind audition? ;)
So as you can see, the actual process is quite simple. It takes about 25 seconds per person. The waiting is much harder--waiting for call back lists, waiting for dance auditions, waiting for (sigh) THE LIST. The list that either does or does not contain the very name in which your parents gave you when you were born. The list that changes your life for the next year or so. The list that determines whether you yourself will be in show choir.
This all might seem very dramatic--and it is. Hundreds (literally) of people don't make it into show choir each year. Sighhhh.
I guess all I can do now is wait.
What's with all these politics?
Over the past year, I have changed so much. When I look back to myself one year ago, I see a confused sophomore trying to fit in. I cared so much about my grades and being perfect; I didn't get any grades lower than an A my sophomore year, not even an A-. I began studying for AP tests in February (not exaggerating), when I haven't even started yet this year. But while a year ago I may have had perfect grades and attendance, I was on the golf team and I was okay with spending a Friday night alone (Okay, so I was sort of a nerd), I'm so much more sure of myself now. I've begun to scope out colleges to find the one that's right for me, and I'm starting to look toward the future instead of being stuck in the present. One thing that stands out from the others in an extreme way is the way I've changed, politically.
I've always known that I wanted to be a lawyer. To be honest, I love winning a good argument and well, social studies has always been my favorite class. But I've never really been interested in politics (I know, it seems weird since law and politics go together, but whatever). More recently, I have become much more interested in party politics as well as their history. I've done some research on both major political parties, and because I will be 18 in less than a year, I've begun to form my own opinions of both parties. According to the Gallup, most teens blindly follow their parents' political ideologies. This makes a lot of sense: if a child has more conservative parents, the child is likely to be a conservative adult, and the same goes for those with more liberal parents. But instead of following today's teen majorities, I decided to do my own research and form my own opinions on politics, instead of just agreeing with my parents.
What I found to be most influential in my decisions was not research, however. Everyone (well I assume everyone) knows that Republicans are generally much more conservative when it comes to domestic and foreign policy, yet they generally favor a larger military budget. Democrats, then, tend to favor a larger portion of the budget to go to domestic spending (I'm speaking in general terms, of course, everyone has their own reasons for being affiliated with one party or the other). So as I researched the current agendas as well as the history of both parties, I found lots of pros and cons of both parties. I chose non-biased sources, so none of them pushed me toward one side or the other. I decided in order to form my opinions I would need to observe and speak with members of both parties. I asked some of my more-educated peers questions about their political preferences and why or why not they did or did not choose one party over the other. Of course I received much of the same response: "I don't know, it's just what my parents are." Groan. Why can't people of my generation be independent of their parents? Sigh. What really influenced my decision, however, was not the opinions of my classmates.
I began to look around me. At the families of my friends, at the generalizations in America, at my own family, at the exceptions in America. My observations served as helpful examples of who I did or didn't want to be. Factual information simply informed me, it didn't allow me to form my own opinion. As with anything, I succeeded when I applied the information to my own life and my own world. And I have finally formed my own political opinions.
I've always known that I wanted to be a lawyer. To be honest, I love winning a good argument and well, social studies has always been my favorite class. But I've never really been interested in politics (I know, it seems weird since law and politics go together, but whatever). More recently, I have become much more interested in party politics as well as their history. I've done some research on both major political parties, and because I will be 18 in less than a year, I've begun to form my own opinions of both parties. According to the Gallup, most teens blindly follow their parents' political ideologies. This makes a lot of sense: if a child has more conservative parents, the child is likely to be a conservative adult, and the same goes for those with more liberal parents. But instead of following today's teen majorities, I decided to do my own research and form my own opinions on politics, instead of just agreeing with my parents.
What I found to be most influential in my decisions was not research, however. Everyone (well I assume everyone) knows that Republicans are generally much more conservative when it comes to domestic and foreign policy, yet they generally favor a larger military budget. Democrats, then, tend to favor a larger portion of the budget to go to domestic spending (I'm speaking in general terms, of course, everyone has their own reasons for being affiliated with one party or the other). So as I researched the current agendas as well as the history of both parties, I found lots of pros and cons of both parties. I chose non-biased sources, so none of them pushed me toward one side or the other. I decided in order to form my opinions I would need to observe and speak with members of both parties. I asked some of my more-educated peers questions about their political preferences and why or why not they did or did not choose one party over the other. Of course I received much of the same response: "I don't know, it's just what my parents are." Groan. Why can't people of my generation be independent of their parents? Sigh. What really influenced my decision, however, was not the opinions of my classmates.
I began to look around me. At the families of my friends, at the generalizations in America, at my own family, at the exceptions in America. My observations served as helpful examples of who I did or didn't want to be. Factual information simply informed me, it didn't allow me to form my own opinion. As with anything, I succeeded when I applied the information to my own life and my own world. And I have finally formed my own political opinions.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
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