Technology definately makes life easier. Just this morning I sent a quick email to my sons daycare letting them know he wasn't coming in today, instead of having to call her or talk to her in person. When I have to break plans with a friend or give someone bad news I prefer to do it in a text. Things are just easier to say when you don't have to say it to their face.
I use the internet for everything. I sell and buy stuff on craigs list all the time. I keep in touch with friends and family members through myspace. My husband uses instant messenger and our web cam to connect with his family in el salvador. I just started sending my family in florida web cam videos of my son saying "hi grandpa" "hi grandma..." and they loved it. And whenever I have a question, the computer has my answer.
Our house is full of technology. Our tv is actually a projector- a huge screen for a cheaper price. We don't use a land line anymore, just our cell phones which I'm noticing a lot of people doing. Even the massage chair and blender can be considered technology. It is just tools that improve your quality of life.
Monday, November 24, 2008
If I won the lottery...
Assuming that it was a very big lottery, the first thing I would buy is a house... or two. Probably not a huge mansion, but something modern and pretty big. Then I would probably have to buy all of my family members some kind of gift, like a car for my mom, college money for my cousins, and a house in el salvador for my in laws (that is where they are from... I'm not trying to get rid of them :)). I would get all the furniture I could want, a new car, and take a long family vacation. I would probably quit my job, and have my husband quit his too.
I saw a show on tv about lottery winners, and there was this one guy who bought the stupidest stuff. It was like he just wanted to spend his money. He had a disney world statue replicated especially for him so he could put it right by his pool. He got quite the kick out of showing off his cool stuff to the camera men. I wouldn't be like that at all. I would use what I needed and save or invest the rest.
I never play the lotto though, so I guess I will never win. Ill just save my 4 dollars a week for something useful, instead of hoping I'm the 1 person is 1,000850947590856078240670 who wins the jackpot.
I saw a show on tv about lottery winners, and there was this one guy who bought the stupidest stuff. It was like he just wanted to spend his money. He had a disney world statue replicated especially for him so he could put it right by his pool. He got quite the kick out of showing off his cool stuff to the camera men. I wouldn't be like that at all. I would use what I needed and save or invest the rest.
I never play the lotto though, so I guess I will never win. Ill just save my 4 dollars a week for something useful, instead of hoping I'm the 1 person is 1,000850947590856078240670 who wins the jackpot.
blog, billboard, and text message
"Barbie is a bad role model for young girls"
Blog- Have you ever looked closely at a Barbie doll? Barbie has an unhealthily thin figure and feet permanently prepared for high heels. She sends a message to girls about what they are supposed to look like when they grow up. Not only her appearance, but all of her accessories instill negative values in children. It teaches them to be materialistic. They absolutely have to have the barbie dream house, barbie pink convert able, and barbie tea party set. Barbie gets everything she wants, so why shouldn't they?
Billboard- Christmas List:
Rock star Barbie
Christmas Barbie
Barbie dream house
Barbie Convertable able
What you give her: A new puppy
Give your kids joy this holiday season, not negative values
Text Message- Barbie= bad 4 kids. Give stuffed animal instead.
Blog- Have you ever looked closely at a Barbie doll? Barbie has an unhealthily thin figure and feet permanently prepared for high heels. She sends a message to girls about what they are supposed to look like when they grow up. Not only her appearance, but all of her accessories instill negative values in children. It teaches them to be materialistic. They absolutely have to have the barbie dream house, barbie pink convert able, and barbie tea party set. Barbie gets everything she wants, so why shouldn't they?
Billboard- Christmas List:
Rock star Barbie
Christmas Barbie
Barbie dream house
Barbie Convertable able
What you give her: A new puppy
Give your kids joy this holiday season, not negative values
Text Message- Barbie= bad 4 kids. Give stuffed animal instead.
Monday, November 3, 2008
My Favourite Place on the Planet
So I am completely drained on blog topics and decided to look on the internet. There are websites with hundreds of random blog topics. It really helps!
My favorite place definately isn't very exotic being as I haven't been to many places. But I would have to say that my favorite place on the planet is my grandma's house. She lives in a million dollar home in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Now, when most people think of a million dollar home, they think of brand new, pool in the backyard, windy staircase, marble floors etc. Hers is nothing like that. It is actually pretty old. When I inherit it someday I will be making a lot of updates. But the thing I love most about the house is its location. It is right where the Anclote River empties into the golf of mexico. She has a big fishing dock with boats and kayaks hooked onto it. There are little islands all around that I used to explore when I was a kid. Sitting on the dock, you can watch speedboats and tour boats take tourists out into the ocean. There are always dolphins swimming around her dock. When I was little I used to catch starfish and snails near the water.
Her backyard is filled with grapefruit, orange, and bamboo trees.
Another thing I absolutely love about my grandma's house is the neighborhood. Tarpon Springs is a greek neighborhood with beautiful historic buildings. Every year during the Ephiphany the town goes to watch the greek boys dive for the cross off the bayou. The city is cluttered with little mom and pop sponge shops where you will find every variety of sponge you can possibly imagine, and then more. The streets smell of cuban cigars. There are tons of restaurants offering greek food, but the best is Mr. Soulvaki's greek salads (and I'm not even a salad eater). Its a place where you can lie back listening to Jimmy Buffet drinking Margaritas all day. When I am there its like I am in another world. It is so calm and relaxing, all the stresses of everyday life fade away.
Obama Rally
I've wanted to go to an Obama Rally for a while now, so as soon as I heard he was going to be at Civic center park we were there. He was supposed to be be speaking at 11:30 but the gates opened at 10. We were there at 9:30.
When we got there, we took our place in a line that went on for miles. Thankfully, we were just about a half mile from the entrance. While we were in line we got tons of no on 49, 54 (whatever #s they are) stickers stuck all over us. Finally we got to the park entrance and there were no good spots. We ended up way back on the capital steps next to some speakers so we could at least hear the speech. We gave up on getting any glimpse of Obama.
The crowds were ridiculous but amazing. It was great to see so many people come together in support of Obama. People stood on trash cans to see over the 100,000 people. Every tree had a person in it who wanted a better view. Even the tops of buildings were full of people. I read that this was the biggest gathering at the park since the pope came in the 80's.
His speech felt like the same old we've been hearing every day for the past few months, but still it was nice to hear in person. Right when he stepped out Obama said "wow who are all those people back there on the capital steps. Does Denver ever have small crowds? I wish you could all see what I am seeing right now!" Something like that any ways. Not an exact quote. Although Colorado is a battleground state, I feel like Obama has won it.
Popular Culture Brainstorm
I would like to argue how an ad promotes a stereotype, but I'm not sure which ad I want to look at yet. Looking on the internet I found some ideas...
1. Diet ads promote obese stereotypes/create negative stigmas
2. Cleaning ads that promote sexual stereotypes
3. Lucky Charms commercail promotes Irish stereotypes
4. Barbies promote racial stereotypes
I really like the barbie idea and I think that is what I'm going to go with. I could talk about how barbies give girls an unrealistic image. They are white, blond, and super skinny. Barbie's feet are permanently prepared for high heels. Bratz dolls are another great example of this. They are dressed in mini skirts and anchored at young girls. The barbie dolls are also very racially stereotyped. Theres black barbie, indian barbie, asian barbie etc..
1. Diet ads promote obese stereotypes/create negative stigmas
2. Cleaning ads that promote sexual stereotypes
3. Lucky Charms commercail promotes Irish stereotypes
4. Barbies promote racial stereotypes
I really like the barbie idea and I think that is what I'm going to go with. I could talk about how barbies give girls an unrealistic image. They are white, blond, and super skinny. Barbie's feet are permanently prepared for high heels. Bratz dolls are another great example of this. They are dressed in mini skirts and anchored at young girls. The barbie dolls are also very racially stereotyped. Theres black barbie, indian barbie, asian barbie etc..
Friday, October 24, 2008
The price of getting green
This morning I went with my husband to his lawyer appointment. Now that I am finally 18 (in december) he can apply for his green card. It is rediculous how much immigrants have to go through just to be here legally. I can almost understand why people run across the boarder :). The lawyer first gave us a list of fees totalling $5,000. I honestly thought it would cost a lot more than that, but I guess $5,000 is a lot just to file some paperwork.
Next he handed us a list of things we need to get together to make our case. I had to laugh when I read we had to prove that we were in a "real marriage" not just so he could become a citizen. We need to submit pictures of us together at our wedding, our son's birth, vacations, graduations etc. and then any invitations or cards that were addressed to the both of us. We also have to prove we live together, pay bills together, and like a million other things. I have to send immigration our "Merry Christmas" cards for gods sake.He obviously has to submit legal documents like birth certificates but also letters from his pastor, teacher, and coaches saying that he is a good person. There were probably 50 items on that list, some pretty ridiculous.
The most shocking part about all this, is after about a year of filing paperwork he finally gets an interview. We both have to fly to El Salvador, where my husband is from, and get interviewed. And that's not where it ends. We have to STAY in El Salvador for a YEAR while the paperwork is being processed!! I find this completely insane. At least I'm not at a point in my life where I have a house and steady job. How could they expect people to just pack up and leave for a year. I am free to come back to the US but theres no way I could support myself and my son without him so I will just live there. I have to admit that it sounds like an fun adventure. But its a very fun inconvenient adventure. But I will do whatever it takes to help him get a green card. It's a huge accomplishment for someone from another country because it is such a difficult and lengthy process.
Next he handed us a list of things we need to get together to make our case. I had to laugh when I read we had to prove that we were in a "real marriage" not just so he could become a citizen. We need to submit pictures of us together at our wedding, our son's birth, vacations, graduations etc. and then any invitations or cards that were addressed to the both of us. We also have to prove we live together, pay bills together, and like a million other things. I have to send immigration our "Merry Christmas" cards for gods sake.He obviously has to submit legal documents like birth certificates but also letters from his pastor, teacher, and coaches saying that he is a good person. There were probably 50 items on that list, some pretty ridiculous.
The most shocking part about all this, is after about a year of filing paperwork he finally gets an interview. We both have to fly to El Salvador, where my husband is from, and get interviewed. And that's not where it ends. We have to STAY in El Salvador for a YEAR while the paperwork is being processed!! I find this completely insane. At least I'm not at a point in my life where I have a house and steady job. How could they expect people to just pack up and leave for a year. I am free to come back to the US but theres no way I could support myself and my son without him so I will just live there. I have to admit that it sounds like an fun adventure. But its a very fun inconvenient adventure. But I will do whatever it takes to help him get a green card. It's a huge accomplishment for someone from another country because it is such a difficult and lengthy process.
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