The Holiday Season is about giving. So why do we make lists of what we want? Should we start making lists of what we want to give? If you made a list of what you want to give, what would it look like? Should giving be focused around material items? Or can we give hope, love and inspiration?
This is just my thought of the day.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Growing Up & The People Who Teach Us Life's Lessons
I truly believe that children need to be apart of some competitive team growing up. Personally, by being on different teams, whether it was Odyssey of the Mind in elementary school or sports team throughout school, there was potential to learn many different lessons. And I learned my lessons. And, often times it was the coaches who provided these lessons.
"Be a team." "Pass the ball to the open person, don't be selfish." "You will have to work together to get your desired results." "Don't be late, or you are running laps."
By participating in teams at such a young age, and learning how to interact with people who are different from you is a challenge. However, for the rest of your life you are going to be challenged by a team. In school, you are put into groups for projects. In work, you work within a group or department to get things done. Your coach becomes your teacher, and your boss by instructing you on what to do. Basically, the team culture is all around. It is the way we operate businesses.
But who are these people who are teaching us our life lessons at a young age? Who are these people who are telling us how to act, how to be? Who are these people who are teaching us work ethic? Often times, children will admire their coaches. Their coaches can do no wrong.
Over the course of my experiences with coaches, I have come to find that coaches do indeed do wrong. They are not doing wrong in the gym, but in their personal lives. They strive to teach us how to be, how to act, and how to live, yet they seem to have not figured it out yet. It is devastating to know that people you spend so much time with, and look up to are scumbags. People who told you not to steal, go and steal. People who tell you that you need to trust one another, go and break that trust.
I am not really sure where I was going with this blog post....so I will have to finish it later.
"Be a team." "Pass the ball to the open person, don't be selfish." "You will have to work together to get your desired results." "Don't be late, or you are running laps."
By participating in teams at such a young age, and learning how to interact with people who are different from you is a challenge. However, for the rest of your life you are going to be challenged by a team. In school, you are put into groups for projects. In work, you work within a group or department to get things done. Your coach becomes your teacher, and your boss by instructing you on what to do. Basically, the team culture is all around. It is the way we operate businesses.
But who are these people who are teaching us our life lessons at a young age? Who are these people who are telling us how to act, how to be? Who are these people who are teaching us work ethic? Often times, children will admire their coaches. Their coaches can do no wrong.
Over the course of my experiences with coaches, I have come to find that coaches do indeed do wrong. They are not doing wrong in the gym, but in their personal lives. They strive to teach us how to be, how to act, and how to live, yet they seem to have not figured it out yet. It is devastating to know that people you spend so much time with, and look up to are scumbags. People who told you not to steal, go and steal. People who tell you that you need to trust one another, go and break that trust.
I am not really sure where I was going with this blog post....so I will have to finish it later.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Waiting for "Superman"
If you have not heard of the documentary "Waiting for Superman," I suggest you do a quick google search. This film, which I saw today, was fantastic. It is about education in America. A system that is in desperate need of attention. A system I learn more and more about because my best friend has been thrust into the world of it. She is a Teach For America teacher, and has horror stories of 16 year-old sixth graders.
But back to the movie: the part of the movie that struck me the most was when the film maker discusses track systems. The first time I can remember being put into a track was in 4th grade. We were divided by our math capabilities. There was the GT (gifted and talented) program, and then everyone was broken down from there. I was in Mrs. Jones' math class, which was right below GT. The next time I remember how big of a deal the track system was, was between 7th and 8th grade. There was a test that was to be taken to determine whether or not you could take algebra in 8th grade. It may not seem like a huge deal, but that test would determine my class schedule for the next 4-5 years. I did not pass the test right away. I was put on a waiting list, and had to go talk to the principle with my mother to get placed into the algebra class.
Why was it such a big deal? Well if I was on the regular track I would take biology as a sophomore, and chemistry as a junior in high school. Rather, I took biology as a freshmen and chemistry as a sophomore. I would take pre-calculus, and trig. I would then have the decision my senior year as to whether I wanted to take calculus or advanced placement classes. I guess I was on the fast track -- I am not sure where that fast track was taking me.
Did I really receive a better education because I was on this track? Were the expectations of me greater? I know they were greater from my parents. Majority of my friends were on the same track. Were we friends because we were going places?
This movie made me take a look back at my education. Even through out college -- did I get what I paid for? The teacher's assistant was about 3 years older than me -- were they capable of teaching me what I needed to know? Overall, this movie digs deeper into the education system, and how if you attend one bad school through out your childhood, you are that much further behind. I hope everyone goes to see this movie. It was truly eye-opening.
GO SEE IT NOW!
But back to the movie: the part of the movie that struck me the most was when the film maker discusses track systems. The first time I can remember being put into a track was in 4th grade. We were divided by our math capabilities. There was the GT (gifted and talented) program, and then everyone was broken down from there. I was in Mrs. Jones' math class, which was right below GT. The next time I remember how big of a deal the track system was, was between 7th and 8th grade. There was a test that was to be taken to determine whether or not you could take algebra in 8th grade. It may not seem like a huge deal, but that test would determine my class schedule for the next 4-5 years. I did not pass the test right away. I was put on a waiting list, and had to go talk to the principle with my mother to get placed into the algebra class.
Why was it such a big deal? Well if I was on the regular track I would take biology as a sophomore, and chemistry as a junior in high school. Rather, I took biology as a freshmen and chemistry as a sophomore. I would take pre-calculus, and trig. I would then have the decision my senior year as to whether I wanted to take calculus or advanced placement classes. I guess I was on the fast track -- I am not sure where that fast track was taking me.
Did I really receive a better education because I was on this track? Were the expectations of me greater? I know they were greater from my parents. Majority of my friends were on the same track. Were we friends because we were going places?
This movie made me take a look back at my education. Even through out college -- did I get what I paid for? The teacher's assistant was about 3 years older than me -- were they capable of teaching me what I needed to know? Overall, this movie digs deeper into the education system, and how if you attend one bad school through out your childhood, you are that much further behind. I hope everyone goes to see this movie. It was truly eye-opening.
GO SEE IT NOW!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Yelp Helps!
Tonight was a magnificent evening filled with good company, good drinks, and non-profits. Tonight, my friend Brittany and I attended an event called "Yelp Helps." In case you are behind the times, Yelp is a website that allows users to rate and review restaurants they have visited. It is a website that others can search for restaurants, and see people's honest opinions. Let's be honest -- it's great.
Anyways, this event was to showcase non-profits through out the Denver area. There was everything from Livestrong, Planned Parenthood, Denver Dumb Friend's League, to the highlight of the night, the Denver Firefighters. Let's just say we saved the best for last.
The most intriguing booth we visited was an organization that was registering people for the national bone marrow registry. It was simple. We swished water for 10 seconds, and then swabbed our mouths. We handed our swabs to the people, and they will ship them off to be processed. Seems pretty painless. Now that I am back in the comfort of my room, I have started thinking about the what ifs. What if I am a match? What if they call me? What if someone needs my help? What will I do?
Will I go through the procedure to save someone I do not know? Well of course! It is hard to believe by doing that simple test I have put myself out there to now help an individual as much as I can as they struggle to fight for their life. I almost wish that I am presented with the opportunity. I want to be able to help someone.
I think that there has been something missing in my life. I think what might be missing is giving back. As the holiday season approaches, I am always reminded of how lucky I am. I have a father who has successful battled cancer and has been cancer-free for nearly 10 years. I have a wonderful, and loving family. I have amazing friends.
I hope that this year, I can donate my time or money to a good cause to help some else's holiday be as merry as mine. Does anyone have any good suggestions as to what organizations might need the most help this winter?
To find out more about the non-profits that were at the event please go here.
Anyways, this event was to showcase non-profits through out the Denver area. There was everything from Livestrong, Planned Parenthood, Denver Dumb Friend's League, to the highlight of the night, the Denver Firefighters. Let's just say we saved the best for last.
The most intriguing booth we visited was an organization that was registering people for the national bone marrow registry. It was simple. We swished water for 10 seconds, and then swabbed our mouths. We handed our swabs to the people, and they will ship them off to be processed. Seems pretty painless. Now that I am back in the comfort of my room, I have started thinking about the what ifs. What if I am a match? What if they call me? What if someone needs my help? What will I do?
Will I go through the procedure to save someone I do not know? Well of course! It is hard to believe by doing that simple test I have put myself out there to now help an individual as much as I can as they struggle to fight for their life. I almost wish that I am presented with the opportunity. I want to be able to help someone.
I think that there has been something missing in my life. I think what might be missing is giving back. As the holiday season approaches, I am always reminded of how lucky I am. I have a father who has successful battled cancer and has been cancer-free for nearly 10 years. I have a wonderful, and loving family. I have amazing friends.
I hope that this year, I can donate my time or money to a good cause to help some else's holiday be as merry as mine. Does anyone have any good suggestions as to what organizations might need the most help this winter?
To find out more about the non-profits that were at the event please go here.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Help...
I just finished reading this fascinating book. Yes, I might be behind. But I have been busy! Anyways, this book by Kathryn Stockett is a must-read. Personally, I love these stories. My parents grew up in the south. My dad, more specifically, was alive during all of this. He grew up in a southern country club. I am positive his mother's friends had this type of help, although my dad has never mentioned it.
This book, along with a course I took in college, had me questioning my parents. I asked them why they never spoke of this time. They struggled to answer me. They replied they were young. My dad was 10 when Brown V. Board was passed. At 10 years old, you begin to remember things. Where you were when certain things happened, and what you were doing.
The sociological aspect of race, and gender fascinate me. People are socialized to believe certain things about them and the world. Why does a little girl have to have a pink bib? Why does the white girl have to have a white doll? I still don't get it. For as far as we are forward in many aspects, the world is still so far behind on others.
This book, along with a course I took in college, had me questioning my parents. I asked them why they never spoke of this time. They struggled to answer me. They replied they were young. My dad was 10 when Brown V. Board was passed. At 10 years old, you begin to remember things. Where you were when certain things happened, and what you were doing.
The sociological aspect of race, and gender fascinate me. People are socialized to believe certain things about them and the world. Why does a little girl have to have a pink bib? Why does the white girl have to have a white doll? I still don't get it. For as far as we are forward in many aspects, the world is still so far behind on others.
Oh The Life of an Airline Child...
Let's face it, being the child of a pilot has its perks. I have reaped the benefits of it for as long as I can remember. As I approach 25, (in 2.5 years) I realize I need to take FULL advantage of the benefits while I still can. So, this past weekend I had nothing to do. I had just gotten to my parent's house from the gym. (I have to water their plants while they, too, reap the benefits of free travel.) It was noon, and I was curious as to what my big brother was doing that night. He lives in Vegas. It's a strange question to ask someone who is hours away from you. Well, I decided I was going to go visit him for the night. Just the night. I had to work Monday. (Remember, I am a grown up now?) Anyways, I check the flights to see if they are open. Well just my luck, there was a flight at 16:04 to Las Vegas that was pretty much wide open! It is now 1pm, and I am half an hour away from my apartment. I need to pack, shower, look professional, (you have to represent the airline in a positive way), and be out the door NO LATER THAN 2:15 if I want to be able to make it to the airport in time to catch the flight.
Welp, I made it! I was off to Vegas. With this being a VERY last minute trip, we had nothing planned. We decided to go see Le Reve at the Wynn. The show was amazing. It was a water show with acrobats and such. They had one minor tech problem, but other than that I felt as though I was transported into a dream; like the title of the show suggests. And because my brother is a local, we received a discount on our tickets. (There are always deals, you just have to ask!) I won $40 playing video poker, while my brother lost $20. He was not to pleased. We had a late night snack of In-N-Out. I cheated, and bought a ticket home, because I could not play the "wait in the airport and hope I make it home game" flying stand-by. Overall, my 27 hours in Vegas was a success. My otherwise boring weekend, turned into quite the adventure.
Le Reve
Find out more here.
Next weekend I am thinking I may trek to Kansas.
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