Turkey Week

I know it's been quite awhile since I last posted, I apologize. I am so relieved that today is Tuesday, November 24, 2009. Today I only had one class. My least favorite class, but only one class nonetheless. I am so glad for this break. It means I am only a few days closer till the end of this semester, it also means that I survived. haha. Sounds like a bad thing. But it's really a good thing.

So enough about school. It's Turkey Week and Thursday is Thanksgiving. So what am I thankful for.

I'm thankful for a God who is patient and kind, that loves me even though I am a sinner.

I'm thankful for a great family. A father who works hard to keep a roof over my head, a mother that comes into my room every so often to see what I'm up to, for a little brother that even though I occasionally fight with he's still there seeking my attention.

I'm thankful for great friends who support, encourage, and love me for who I am.

I'm thankful for being able to attend an amazing university with amazing people who I'm sure have not yet finished making impacts on my life.

I'm thankful for many things.

What I realize though is not everybody really feel like they are blessed. So I encourage you, yes you reading this blog. Think about what God has blessed you with. You may think something or someone is a blessing, but it/ they really is/are.

until next time

happy thanksgiving. :)

Lesson of the Week

Yes, I learned a VERY valuable lesson this week. It's very crucial that in this blog you learn this lesson. If you do not learn this lesson, do not blame me. I have suffered, and it is not fun at all.

Are you ready for the lesson? Do you dare continue reading to find out?


Lap Tops, electronics, etc. + Back Pack + WATER BOTTLE = DISASTER! i.e. the do NOT mix!

Friday morning being in a rush to get the hold off my account so I could register for spring semester I stupidly even after questioning myself about possible spillage, put my water bottle (might i add that has a flimsy lid) into my back pack, assuming it to NOT open and RUIN said lap top.

I was proved WRONG. DEAD wrong.

I did not realize that it had opened until I felt the water on my jeans from my back pack.
WAY TO GO SHARAYAH.

So take my advice. Don't even think about it. automatic no-no.

So what have we learned? Water and Electronics do NOT mix!

Where is Journalism Going?

A report done recently by Columbia University shows the path where Journalism is headed. Personally when I think of news I can automatically smell a newspaper. I know you probably think I'm weird now, but oh well. When you have a fresh, new bundle of newspapers they smell kind of funny. I do not know exactly how to put it.

The report was very informative about the evolvement of journalism and very detailed about where they plan on taking it. I’m kind of on the fence about it though. I’m not exactly sure which way to take it. I feel there seem to be more cons than pros in my opinion. But I am just one person.

It seems as though Journalism is headed into a different direction. That of web browsing, easy accessible, now, and FREE news. That's what everyone wants right? Free things. I learned differently in Economics. TINSTAAFL; There is no such thing as a free lunch. That's completely true. However, people can get anything on the Internet now a days, what not the news too?

According to the report the government would be helping bail out the newspapers. There have already been numerous bailout plans that have been put into effect that I do not necessarily agree with. Giving money to people who know exactly how they got there and know how to return is not what I would call a smart idea. Yes, I care strongly about the news and the media, but I feel that if the government does bail out the newspapers they will most definitely have control over stories being printed.

I do not know about you, but that definitely violates my freedom of speech, and my freedom of speech is something I value. Also, who is the government to say who deserve money and who does not? Is not the point of Journalism to deliver the news of what is going on to the public? As long as this is being provided are the newspapers and web sites all in it together for the greater good, or at least we would hope.

I do not complain about the news being online, and I agree that it is way easier to get a hold of than driving to the store, and picking up the paper for what a nickel? Okay.. maybe not a nickel, but the Internet makes it seem a lot more convenient, for the more modernization of what our nation has become.

Yes, I realize that times are changing and sooner or later there will no longer be printed news. But I believe that we should enjoy every little printed story while it lasts. I hope that it will last quite a long time. There are people out there who slave away, working to find that next huge story. People do not realize how much reporters are really putting into the stories that are printed in the newspaper. Everyone has to have the newest toy out there and they need to have it NOW! I feel that people take for granted what they are given.

However, this whole modernization business is not really a great positive. Test scores are going down and this generation is not as literate as the generations before it. Text messaging and other forms of communications that dumb down the level of literacy, and it’s no wonder that everyone wants things to be done for them. Open up an Internet browser and you can find anything you could possibly dream about within a matter of minutes, if not seconds.

Do me a favor, go pick up a newspaper and read. :)

http://www.minnpost.com/insideminnpost/2009/10/19/12627/a_modest_proposal_for_federal_funding_of_journalism#

http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/ContentServer/jrn/1212611716674/page/1212611716651/JRNSimplePage2.htm

Post for: JRN 215

Time Change

I've realized that even though the time changed I still hate monday mornings.

I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the fact that I am so busy during the weekend that I barely sleep. Since I barely sleep during the weekend I think it flows over to the week..

Maybe I should stop staying up late during the weekend and I will be able to sleep during the week.

Anyways.. today is Monday, November 2nd, 2009.

That means there are only twenty-five days left until Christmas music is played on KOST.

I love Christmas music. I play it all day, every day, until it stops playing on KOST.

I know I'm jumping forward to the Christmas season and totally bypassing Thanksgiving, but I really like the Christmas season...maybe I should save this for another blog and focus on Thanksgiving.

Stuffing is my favorite especially when there is gravy. However, I hate cranberry sauce and yams. I don't like the taste of cranberry sauce. I do not know why, but I do. Same with Yams. When I eat yams, I eat the stuff on top. You know like marshmallows. haha. I can't stand what's underneath those white, sticky, fluff balls.

haha. I've gone quite the journey on this post.. I think it's time to end it.

new one coming soon though. ;)

Baking

I wanted to write this blog Tuesday, but I got super busy.

Anyways, I've been having a rough time the last few weeks dealing with some issues and trying to get over them. Please keep me in prayer about it is all I ask.

But in these hard times I've realized something that gets my mind off of it, is baking. The last few weeks when ever the feelings come to me and reveal their ugly faces I head to the internet and find recipes. Preparing what ever my little heart desires.

I've made snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, and a pumpkin cheesecake so far. Let me tell you that Pumpkin Cheesecake was made Monday night, ready Tuesday evening and Oh My Goodness it was delicious!

I've been having a lot of fun with this new found hobby and I'm so glad for it. The smiles I see when my family first sink their teeth into that first bite makes me smile. I love the feeling and it shows me that even though I may not be going through the best times right now, if I keep positive and do things for others,that smile on their face is just enough to keep me going. :)

Weather

This morning I woke up and I looked out the window expecting to see sunshine pouring through my window only to send me retreating back to the darkness of my room. However, all I saw was fog. Fog and Coldness. Normally this wouldn't upset me. Hey, you add a little rain, some wind, and we're good. Last week, I was so excited that we were finally transitioning into Fall.

However, two days later we were revisited by the horrible sun that reigns during Summer. Now don't get me wrong, I do not dislike the sun. I just prefer the cold and the rain. But this is just getting ridiculous!! The weather/ seasons need to make up their mind and stop going back and forth between hot and cold!

Summer needs to leave or stay. It needs to make up its mind. Yes, I am personifying Summer. Fall needs to man up, because I'm really looking forward to the evenings where I can snuggle on the couch with my blanket, read a good book, and drink hot chocolate with mini marshmallows by the fire. I mean really? What's better than that? In my opinion ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

GO AWAY SUMMER! You've OVERSTAYED your welcome! :)

7 books, 5 Years.

In my Composition we were assigned a journal entry to take home because we didn't have time in class. This journal entry we were able to choose from three different topics.

Topic #1: What are 7 books that you would take with you on a desert island for the next 5 years.

Topic #2: What is your favorite book from childhood and why?

Topic #3: Discuss a novel that reflects you own life and/ or experiences.

As you've probably already guessed I choose topic number one. Partially because it was the most difficult for me to come up with. Also I am not going to rewrite the journal entry, more like reflect on it.

I absolutely love books and I am definitely a bookworm. So you probably realize how hard it is me to limit my vast library of variety. Okay, maybe not so much variety. Rather authorwise variety. HOWEVER, I was able to limit myself. A tad guilty about it, but it was possible.

1. The Bible

The Bible is a sheer cheat. (There being so many books, as well as stories within one book). Not that it's a bad thing. It would help me stay close to God and isn't that what everyone needs? At least I think that's what everybody needs. Jesus is my Savior. :)

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

THEE BEST love story EVER. Definitely my favorite out of all the ones I've read. Mr. Darcy makes the book very enchanting. *sigh* haha. (I'm also currently reading the ZOMBIE version. I definitely have a blog coming you way when that is finished).

3. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Another great love story. Anyone can shout it at any time. *YOU'RE A HOPELESS ROMANTIC!* Thank you man in the back with the courage to call me out! haha. I'm very addicted to them, however, this one is also about spies. What's better than love, danger, and suspense? ...I don't know. I'll let you know when I figure it out.

4. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Yes, I am a Twilighter. The first book got me hooked, however, it was not my favorite. I think there was a lot more happening in Eclipse. Yes, a lot happened in Breaking Dawn, but there was too much. Don't get me wrong I liked Breaking Dawn, it just wasn't my favorite. Form your own opinions, don't take my word for it.

5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Okay, okay. This IS a Science Fiction Novel. Shocking right? Sharayah does NOT read SciFi. I will admit it here. I read this book AFTER I read the Twilight Saga. I was hoping for a little romance and I got it. Probably the only reason I continued reading. But it really was a great book.

6. Specials by Scott Westerfield

Your probably realized by now I read book series. It's always good when the story continues. I hate when the story ends in suspense and then is never touched again. Specials was really interesting. Takes place in the future, crazy way to look at it. Very cool book.

7. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This was my favorite out of the three books I read in that series. which is sad because I started the series quite a long time ago. >.<

I know what you're thinking. It seems like she posted the journal entry. But I did NOT! this is totally different from my entry! I went more in depth here. Hope you enjoyed and pick up a book or too. (I am not being paid to tell you this, but they SHOULD!). :D