#12- Importance of Play

"There's clearly a parallel in nature- you don't need to look too hard to see how frequently play shows up among animals, especially among mammals, some birds, and a few reptiles." 

I never really thought about how animals and humans coincide in the realm of play. It is said that even lion cubs will engage in "play". Their play is consistent with the way they will hunt when they are older. Just like when kids play on the playground, they are practicing for adult life without the same consequences adults face.  When administrators are taking away play from schools nationwide, they are in a sense taking away their practice for the future. It is like telling a lion club to stop playing with his brother, but as a result the lion wouldn't understand how to hunt and attack as an adult. Play is a main factor in nature.. take it out and you ruin the process of nature.
    

#10- KaBoom! Do Your Best

"It's not about your all-time best performance that matters, it's how you perform consistently, day in and day out." (pg.7)

In Darell Hammond's novel, KaBoom!, he emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication. I personally believe that how you perform and integrity go hand-in-hand. You can't perform only when it matters, true character is revealed on how you perform when no one is watching. I have learned this the hard way through my own personal experience. For the most part, I can honestly say I always try to do the right thing and wear my specified attire to work. However, one day I didn't wear the required shirt and it just so happened that day that my Boss walked in. I was reprimanded, but thankfully not too badly because she knows the time of person I am and how I usually behave while on the clock. Being consistent in character and quality can help with situations when your character is put to the test. What I learned is that you can't take a break on integrity and performance. It needs to be consistent and I need to "walk the talk".

#11- Brazil Butt Lift

Being a big workout guru, I am always looking for new and exciting ways to exercise and "get fit". I have always been self conscious of my thighs so I started exploring for ways to lean and tone thighs. Brazil Butt Lift was one of the first items that popped up on my search. Curious, I clicked the link and I am so thankful I did. Brazil Butt Lift is a program created by Beach Body to tone and lift your butt as well as other parts of the anatomy. The trainer that leads the program is the trainer for many of the Victoria's Secret Models. Needless to say I am EXCITED!!! Some might criticize my enthusiasm for a product that might not even work. But honestly, will it really hurt me to do a bunch of butt and thigh exercises for 60 days? Um, I think not.  I ordered it online and I am anxiously waiting for its arrival :) I look forward to lifting my butt two inches. Soon I will be sending my before and after pick in and thus receiving a free tshirt!

# 9: Play Time; Girl Time

Throughout my Elementary years, I always looked forward to recess. Recess was a time when I was able to run around and release all my stored up energy. My earliest childhood memory was in Early Kindergarten when I was five years of age. I had two friends that I usually would hang with around the tire swing. Unlike most girls, Taylor and Caroline (lets just say those are their names) actually liked boys; I still thought that boys had cooties. One thing we did agree on was who the cutest boy in the grade was: Conner. Even my "cootie paranoia" couldn't overpower my idea of Conner "the cutie". One day we three girls had the audacity to ask Conner if he wanted to play house with us. Of course, Caroline being the leader she was, told Conner that he would be her husband. Conner's eye suddenly opened wide and the poor boy was struck with a look of fear. Caroline, dismayed by his silence, looked at us in utter shock. She couldn't comprehend why a five year old boy didn't want to be her husband. Suddenly Conner ran off and sat down behind a big oak tree. Being young, we didn't really grasp the concept of rejection. So we ran off happily and played our own game. When the teacher called us to come inside we looked for Conner and he was no where to be found. Finally we spotted him and he was still sitting behind the big oak tree. Our teacher went over to him and told the students to go inside.  We all peered through the window to see why Conner wouldn't come inside. Come to find out Conner had actually went to the bathroom in his pants. Enough to say, I think Caroline scared Conner so bad that he actually pooped himself. Poor guy. It was then we discovered the power of being a girl and the affect we had on boys.

Blog #8: Supersize Me

While watching commercials for documentaries in English class, on of the commercials caught me attention. SUPER SIZE ME!. I unfortunately did not get the opportunity to watch this particular documentary, but the ads did a good job of provoking my interest. It consisted of a man who ate McDonald's for so many months just to see what effects it had on the body. He gained weight and also contracted high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart issues. After a short period of time he could barely eat the food he was so sick of it. He said in the commercial that he felt disgusted with himself. I mean I would feel pretty disgusting too if I ate McDonald's EVERY day!Just goes to show just exactly how UNHEALTHY fast food restaurants are for you. Like my previous post on FOOD INC., you honestly have no idea what you are putting into your body. (Processed meat and fried potatoes soaked in grease, while you slurp down and acidic COCA-COLA). EAT & ENJOY.

Blog # 7: Food Inc. Documentary; Reality Hits

In a recent assignment for English, we were required to watch a documentary in which we had to write a paper about. The documentary I chose was Food Inc. (2008). Watching this movie was horrifying, yet educational. I had NO idea what went into the food that we eat. When I step into the grocery store, what seems to be a variety of food, is in fact just an illusion. Our world is called a "cornucopia" because most of what we eat contains "clever recreations" of corn (commonly seen as high fructose corn syrup) which is seen in most processed foods. So now I try to avoid processed food because they are unnatural and harmful to your body. Another scary factor Food Inc. addressed was how meat is manufactured. It all started when the McDonald brothers turned their drive-in restaurant into a "fast-food" business. They wanted all their burgers to taste the same. As a result, they changed the way the burger itself was processed so that all the burgers all across the U.S. would taste EXACTLY the same. Today there are four businesses that own 85% of the meat industry. So, the same companies that are creating meat for companies such as McDonald's and Burger King, are the same companies that are manufacturing the meat that YOU eat. Gross. I honestly didn't want to eat meat ever again (but I did). Food Inc. also discusses how chickens are injected with anabolic steroids that cause the chicken's growth and development rate to increase at a insanely fast pace. And you wonder why young girls nowadays are maturing so fast? I honestly think it has to do with the steroids that are being injected to the food we eat. Isn't it funny too how cancer can be tied to the meat that comes from cows? I believe that if we change the way we eat, we could very well change our health. (For good or bad). If you want an eye-opening look at our food industry, watch Food Inc.

# 5: Double Edged Sword

In English class I wrote a paper based on an article I read called, "Is Google making us Stupid?" by Nicholas Carr. He expresses his concern for the American people's intellect and how our knowledge is slowly decreasing as a result of Internet sources like Google. Carr states that we as a nation are becoming stupid. He addresses the issues of convenience and inconvenience. For example, we lack the stamina to read through an entire book due to its bulk and length. We as a society want answers, but we want to obtain them in an easy and quick manner. A part of me agrees with what Carr has to say. He makes a valid suggestion in that we are Internet dependent nowadays. I know I am for the most part. When researching for a paper I don't automatically go to my local library, instead I hop on the Internet.   On the other hand, I think the Internet is still a valuable too and has opened many doors. Through social media, I can connect with my cousin out of state and keep in touch. Ultimately, every good invention will always have a negative aspect to it. The Internet is truly a double edged sword; Be careful how you use it.