Nature and the Environment!

When I think of nature, I think about Mother Nature. I think about what the land we live on now was before and how we have changed almost everything to our liking. Is this right? Well in today’s society we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves if the land with just plain land, made up with forests, farms, and maybe one road.

I don’t know what I would without have of the things we have today. What if we didn’t have a grocery store and we had to grow and sell food and spices. It would be very hard to make foods we make every day. That’s just one example. What if we didn’t have the materialistic things like the cell phone, computers, and even a GPS. There wouldn’t be a way of communicating to people. The only way to talk to people would be by mail or face to face. I wonder what that was like. It would take an awful long time if you needed an answer to a question that just lived a couple miles away!

Bring me to my next point. Where would we be without cars and other ways of transportation? We use one type every day. If it’s just to the drug store, work, or going on a long drive for vacation. But really cars are really bad for the environment. Transportation effects the environment because the cars release CO2, which is carbon dioxide, into the air. CO2 is an emission and these emissions form a shield in the atmosphere that stops us from loosing heat. Normal levels of CO2 are good but with too much CO2 we end up with too much heat being trapped and our climate heating.

We could cut down on driving our cars and take public transportation more. It helps a numerous amount because it cuts down the carbon amount. U.S. greenhouse gases from transportation represent 28 percent of total U.S. emissions. Carbon is a greenhouse gases that help regulate radiation in the atmosphere, but too much carbon leads to increasing temperatures and less oxygen in the oceans. Public transit saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. That’s a huge difference. But will people change?

Looking at alternate fuels important!   There are several reasons, but the most important reason is that air pollution kills 3 million people every year and air pollution affects more than 1 billion people in a negative way.   That’s over 1/6 of the earth’s population being harmed by air pollution, that’s a trend that cannot continue without extreme repercussions to everyone on the planet. Some air pollutants and particulate matter from cars can be deposited on soil and surface waters where they enter the food chain; these substances can affect the reproductive, respiratory, immune and neurological systems of animals. If we had no animals we basically have no food. We need what come from animals in our every day diet unless vegetarians get it from other things that will still be harmed or not even able to be made, because the pollution is getting so bad.

We need to change our way of living to a more eco friendly living, which we have made some process on. We have recycling bins almost everywhere you go. I know I see plentiful a day. The cars are now become more and more eco friendly which is very good. And now we are starting to see new ways to run cars. Maybe driving our own cars won’t be so bad in the future. But for now, we should lay back!

World Cultures!

The definition for culture is: The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. my definition fro culture is short and sweet. A way of living. everyone has their own way of living and it is because of their background. what ever culture you find yourself in, the the unique way of living each day!

World culture has always interested me. There are numerous cultures around the world and no matter how close cultures can be, one little aspect makes it different. I would love to go around the world to live in the shoes of someone of a culture, to see how they live, eat sleep. I will need to add that on my bucket list!

Maybe I don’t need it travel around the world. Living here in the United States you see different cultures every day. From Arab to Chinese. Even though those are nationalities I think of them as cultures to because it’s a way of living, and you follow rules every day. Arab culture has a certain religion they look up to. Marrying young and big families is what I think of when I think of Arab culture. When I think of Chinese cultures I think of china families only allows only on daughter. Is that still true? there are so many other kinds of cultures. some are from pure religion. the Amish and Gypsy’s is another culture which is very interesting but very different!

Not only do I think nationalities are culture so can royalty. I look at culture of a way of living. Royalty is a way of living. Wouldn’t that be cool to live as a princess of a queen for a day ladies? Being respected at the highest level in that country. I don’t know if I would like it for everyday life but I bet they are used to it. This is what I mean! Living in peoples shoes for a couple of days to see what it’s like! We would learn so many things about them in such a short time. Or what about homelessness. I would consider homelessness as a culture because you can be born into it and maybe even become one in the culture. My sociology has actually lived homeless for a period of months to know what it is like to live as someone who was homeless! She didn’t talk about it much, but she said she lived homeless and look at how they interacted, and lived. meaning she ate food off the street, out of garbage cans and dumpsters  no one knew she was pretending to be homeless besides the food pantry ladies and police. she also said she would shower, change her clothes of anything! HOW COOL!!

 

Education and schooling!

     

     Education is a huge part of society in today’s world. If you want to succeed and make money these days, you need school! Education and schooling is a much needed aspect in life. Everyone should get the education they need in some way. There are so many different ways and opportunities to get your education.

     How I got my education was first from starting preschool. I was always excited to go to preschool because I always remember all the games and obstacles that I played every day. I needed my schooling and I started preschool young so went for three years when other goes for two years. Then my mom and dad decided to put me in a catholic school in the city where I lived. Kindergarten was the only grade that didn’t need to wear a uniform so that was cool. But after then I did. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was in catholic school up until I was starting 4^th grade. My 4^th grade was in the public schools in the new city I was living in. when we moved my parents asked me if I want to stay in the private school or move to the public school. I chose the public but my older sister decided to stay where she was. I am glad I made that decision because I had more and better opportunities in public school do meet new people and take different classes. In high school I was able to take classes that fit to my personality and interests.

     In public school you were introduced to many different cultures and races. You were able to meet people from different backgrounds and interesting to see a school like that. Sometimes I did wish we had uniforms in public schools because before I was able to get up and put the same thing on every morning where in public school, I had to get up and pick an outfit everyday and make sure I didn’t wear the same thing twice that week. Public school was also a cheaper way to get the education you need to go farther in life.

     Public and private schools are not the only ways to get and education. There are numerous students who are home schooled  It isn’t as popular today but many kids do it. Then there is also online schooling that is done mostly on the computer either at home or in a classroom. Because of all of the different ways to get schooling, no kid should be left out with any education.

 

FOOOOOOOD!

This is going to a little hard know that I am pretty hungry and my mom is making dinner right now. I’M STARVING! Right now she is making her homemade breaded chicken tenders. They are probably one of my favorite dishes she makes. Throughout the years she had always made homemade meals. There are some that I always have her make and then there is some where she doesn’t make them often, mostly because not everyone loves it. It’s hard to decide what to make for dinner when there are five mouths in the house. My mom makes all different kinds of dishes! I have pretty much all of her chicken dishes, and oh we can’t forget about the steak ones! Thank god there are no vegetarians in the house!

Enough of my family, let’s talk about food all over! There are so many types of food places. You can go a hibachi, deli, steakhouse, or the all around Applebee’s. Hibachi is an awesome experience. You have the chance to sit around a hot flat grill while you see your food being cooked right in front of you. The chefs do some crazy stuff which is pretty exciting. They food is really good and you get a ton! Sometimes you even sit with people you don’t even know. That could be a good thing to meet new people or just have that awkward moment of not saying anything. I love to go there in a big group of people because it is always a fun time to catch up and eat great food!

I love going local places to eat as well. One of my favorite places would be Melt Bar and Grilled. they are known for the burgers and there crazy amount of beers. they do not only have burgers but some crazy other sandwiches too! you can chicken of just the plain old Kindergartner which is a grilled cheese!A professional local chef for 18 years and counting, Matt planned to open his own restaurant for quite a while. His concept for Melt—a combination of “comfort food dressed up,” and beer—started from a fairly simple germ. Melt puts a new spin on the same-old bar food and the often predictable selection of brews, and it does so in a setting that provides something for everyone. Try his mantra: Don’t forget to have fun! If you have never been there.. GO! (More About Melt, 2013) http://meltbarandgrilled.com/

Those are just a few of my favorite places to eat and my list can go on and on. but you can never go wrong with mom or dads cooking! unless they really cant cook at all! if not, go to grandmas!

Gender! Class!

When I think of gender, I think of the sociology class I just had! We talked about gender and how we are different. She asked us what life would be like if we were of the opposite sex. I was thinking to myself, there would be a lot of things different. we all had to make a list, and what everyone said got me to think that we are actually very different in out own ways!

It would start with my family. If I was a boy my name would be totally different. It would have been Jack Ryan instead of Alexandra Elizabeth. My mom and dad have always wanted a boy but they got three beautiful girls! Actually we ended up naming my dog Jack! I probably would have been closer to my dad when I was little. I would have played many sports when I was little too. Because my dad played many sports when he was little and throughout school, I would want to take after him. Do not get my wrong I always father daughter time but the time spent would be just a little different.

As I was growing up I was kind of a tom-boy.  Even though I did not play many sports I still dressed kind of boyish. Didn’t we all? But then I became a girly girl. Growing up I would have had the same friends I had. Maybe my personality would have came out a little different and got me in a different clan of people. Maybe I would have ended of more girly at a young age, making me a cheerleader, or on a dance team! If you think back would you change anything? I might have changes a few of my decisions but nothing to extreme because I am truly happy to what i have become.

Now that I am in college I probably would not have chosen the same career choice and major. My major is speech pathology and most of the influence for that was because of my speech pathologist. She was a lady and I would not have thought about going to a male doctor for that. No offense to the males but I could not picture it. Also, my job would not be a tanning salon. There was a guy that worked there but he honestly did not last. In today’s society it just is not typical to walk into a tanning salon and seeing a man behind the counter. Men do tan there; actually it is a 50/50 ratio between men and women!

Well that is my life changes if i was a male, but everyone will have different thoughts. We are meant to be whatever gender we are. No matter what, we will always think some things will be easier for men or women to do depending on the situation. Both genders have their pros and cons but we live with it! We have gotten this far with being a gender type…

WE WILL SURVIVE!

Race and Ethnicity

Writing about race and ethnicity is not a very uncomfortable topic. I am afraid of saying the wrong thing because in today’s society, does anyone know what the right thing to say is? Throughout the years we have seen racism in movies, TV shows, advertisements and other things as well. Is this right? Do we think twice when we see it?

People today might say that everyone is equal and don’t think twice about talking, seeing, and sometimes dating other races or ethnicity  But then there are other people, people who think totally different about other races. These types of people mostly discriminate, which is completely wrong.  Yes, people are different but who said different is a bad thing? People are different in their own and honestly that’s what I like our society. We are individuals and creatively unique. People have their styles and ways of living which is amazing.

I think that we should accept the people around because they are truly not much different from we are. If you really think about it, what’s different? We share the same qualities of life-like education, wealth, employment, like or dislikes and so on. So to me it’s ridiculous the way some people think. I believe that we, as a nation, need to find ways to improve the percent of people who think in such aggressive ways.

In today’s society, well in the United States, we all mixed together. We see it everyday. There is probably not one family in the USA that is completely one race or ethnicity. We see it on TV, music videos. advertisements  and in public. I just don’t get why people are still stuck on only one race of ethnicity is the only one. Yes you are allowed to have your own opinions but when you live in a would or country where we are mixed around, you should see the acceptance.

Even in schools we see the mixture of everyone. No one is the same. Children in today’s world are getting expose to different races and some people are trying not to say anything to their kids. I think that we should explain to our kids that we live in a country of all differences races and ethnicity and that is was makes the United States what it is. Like i said, everyone has their right to think what they want on every race so please don’t think i am writing facts!

Childhood memories and my identity!

Looking back at my childhood, I would like to thank my parents for giving me the best childhood I could ask for. For me just becoming an adult, being a little kid feels like yesterday. I remember not waking up for school every morning and just staying home with my mom while my dad was at work and my older sister was at school. I remember going to the beach pretty much every day it was nice out because of how close we were to it! Living in Rhode Island, where I was born, was just a little part of my childhood.  Even though i was very young when i lived there I still remember some things about it from the stories I’ve heard and the vacations I’ve taken. The beach there was just so beautiful; clear waters, white sand, and the bright sun!

Then I remember moving. Moving to where I live now. In the same house, on the same street, in the same city! This is where the rest of my childhood memories, family, and values came around. Just around 2 years after I moved, my baby sister came into our family. We were now a family of 5 and it hasn’t changed since then. Even though we have pets, we are still a family with a mom, dad, and 3 girls. My family has always been very close. We have always done family oriented vacations and holidays. Our family is much spread our throughout the states and we are the only ones in Ohio because of my dad’s work. Meaning out holidays were spent traveling to see family or just staying home with the five of us. This goes for our vacations as well.

The beach and moving were not my only chunks of childhood memories. Another part of me was spent at a speech pathologist’s office. Her name was Suzie and I remember spending most of my days in her office learning new way to practice and fix my speech impediment. I was born with this impediment that kept me from talking until I was about two and a half years old. I actually started talking when my doctor told my mom I needed my tonsils out. It was a miracle my mom has always said. Knowing that she completely fixed me and changed my life, she is my hero. Everything came together when my family could completely understand me and my voice was clear.

Where I am in my life, I am pretty sure I know my identity. I am just a 19 year old college student, who is getting herself ready for the big world by furthering my education and working. I’m learning every day, time management, responsibility and other useful things I will need in the future. I have created my identity through the memories of my childhood and the family time that was spent. I am now in college with a major of speech pathology. I would like to help kids who had the same problems like me! I want to be someone’s hero like Suzie was a hero to me.