“American Values”
The following post is a Journal response to Barack Obama’s recent Inaugural Address that I had to write for my English class, I thought I would share it with the world!
Many described Barack Obama’s inaugural address as somber and sober, yet it was the very thing most Americans and myself unknowingly wanted to hear! After all who wants to once again hear false promises? Forty-four Americans to date have now taken the presidential oath, many during calm peaceful times and many during bitter and war ridden. The reason for the somber tone as many citizens know is our current economical crisis, many people believe that Barack Obama may be the wrong person to pull us through it. Age and lack of experience seeming to be a major deterrent! Which brings me to this, isn’t experience one of the major reasons Barack Obama chose Joe Biden to be Vice President of the United States? For what wisdom and experience Obama may lack Joe Biden is sure to posses. When it comes to age ask yourself, if Obama and McCain had the same exact stance when it came to views, who would you vote for? To answer a question within a question “who really has experience of being the President of the United States?”
Barack Obama is also being compared and seen as the next John F Kennedy, but under what circumstances? Is it because Barack Obama is echoing JFK with a call for self sacrifice? Or is it simply because they both were and are relatively young Presidents? Barack Obama is calling upon the American society to forget the “anything goes” culture and replace it with a new “era of responsibility!” This is almost reminiscent of John F Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you – Ask what you can do for your country”. I think that anybody would agree that although their styles may differ it doesn’t take away the sense of unity both Presidents were trying to evoke in times of crisis.
Barack Obama also very powerfully stated that although some challenges and circumstances of our nation may be new, The price of citizenship is not!. The virtues that come hand in hand with citizenship being Hard work, Honesty, Courage, Fair play, Tolerance, Curiosity, Loyalty and Patriotism. These date back to our Founding Fathers, but I wonder… do most Americans really apply these to their everyday lives and moral beings anymore? From what I see modern day society is more corrupt and less virtuous than that of our forefathers. As many say it’s a dog eat dog world, and although these virtues are fondly looked upon and favored when reminiscing of what’s good in life, when it really comes down to it it seems they have been forgotten when it comes to advancing in ones own personal gain. This overall calls for unity, the very thing Barack Obama is reaching out for!
I personally feel more connected with Barack Obama than any other president of my time, the fact Obama acknowledges he may not be able to solve all of the Nations Problems is reassuring, it humanizes him! It makes makes him appear to not be out of the ordinary citizens league. I am a part of a new generation of voters strongly holding on to the hope that change will indeed happen. It amazes me to hear so many young voices that were once too scared of being seen as too insignificant to speak out, finally having their words spoken aloud! Barack Obama is of the people, for the people, and with complete unity America will achieve greatness far beyond our knowledge! And with that I will share with you the words that empowered a nation!
“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” President Barack Obama
In other news on my life, last night I was assaulted! Myself and my friend Sloane were having a much needed girls night out, and at the end of the night we decided to get some food! PIZZA!! Upon getting our food we quickly sat outside and started to eat, where from the corner of my eye I noticed a man going through a woman’s style wallet. Realising it couldn’t be his I told him to put it down, to which he started to tell me to hush. Sloane quickly walked over and grabbed the wallet as it would be far safer in our hands than his. The man outraged walked towards me and threw a can of sprite in my face, busting open my lip and very spitefully telling me ‘Bitch! I’m not going to jail for you!!’ to which he started to walk away. There were around 20-30 people surrounding me and non of them thought to help or dial 911? What is this country coming too? Thankfully the owner of the wallet was found and their cash reward was politely denied! However this did not at all ruin my night just the fact my friend Sloane was so eager to help, reassured me that regardless there still are good people out there.
Overall the point of my story being….. “You got your wallet, I got a bust lip!”
Until next time!
xoxo
Mans Best Friend…
This week has been for lack of a better word, unlucky! From family members being sick and rushed to the hospital to delayed home comings.
The worst of them all though, being the death of a beloved family pet.
Two years ago I was unfortunate enough to find that one of the family dogs had drowned in the swimming pool. It was horrific to realize that the pet had possibly been in the cold water all night without me knowing. A lot of heartache and grievance followed, but ultimately time healed all wounds and although we will never forget, Colby will always be fondly remembered.
Imagine my despair then if you will, when last night I discovered that another pet had also fallen into the pool. This time however was different, we still had a chance…She was breathing. The pet was quickly rushed to the emergency vet where they took the immediate necessary action. I found a glimpse of hope, maybe despite the events of last year Katie would indeed survive. My prayers however were not answered, Katie passed away peacefully Last night, surrounded by loved ones at around eight p.m.
Let this be a lesson to all, when you have a pet especially one of old age. Please make the necessary changes around your household and garden to keep them safe. Don’t blow something off as a freak accident that wont happen again. This story is proof that it could, and once again has left many people broken hearted!
Some positivity has come out of my loss however, I’ve decided I am going to volunteer at a dog shelter.
Colby 1990 – 2007, Katie 1992 – 2009
R.I.P
xoxo
City & Color
I have never been the type of person to force my preferred music choices onto anybody but my dog! However, anybody who has amazing music taste must check out City and Color!
For those of you who think this beautiful voice is familiar, Dallas Green used to be the frontman of the band Alexis on fire.
Go show some support on his website, or better yet go buy the album!
Today was also officially my first day of school! It was everything I thought it would be and more. I think I finally found what I have been looking for in my life, a purpose.
I am suddenly feeling my positive side over powering my negativity.
Finally! A new years resolution I have actually stuck too…so far!
xoxo
Berry Pink.
In January of 2005, Shelly Hwang and Young Lee celebrated the grand opening of their first ever store. Located on a small residential street in Los Angeles, their aim was to rejuvenate the 1980’s craze that was and has once again become frozen yogurt! Which store you may be wondering? I’ll give you a hint…. It’s “the taste that launched 1,000 parking tickets!” Still no idea? Well let me be specific. The particular store I am referring too has quickly become a staple in todays ever changing pop culture society. The store in question being the immensely popular ‘Pinkberry’.
I first heard of Pinkberry through friends who are major fans of the product. Their raving reviews however did not convince me! It took me until the summer of 2007 to finally give in to the hype, you could say curiosity finally killed the cat. I just had to see what all the fuss was about!
After waiting in line at the melrose branch for around 20 minutes. I decided upon the small (5 US fl oz (150 ml)) original flavor topped with a small amount of fruity pebbles. My first initial response was that of disgust! This couldn’t be right! Was this really the product that sent the nation into mass hysteria? After taking two more bites I decided it was more fit for the nearest trash can than of my consumption. Never again would I go against my first instinct, after all we have instincts for a reason.
So please somebody tell me why, WHY!? Did I go against my instincts once again and venture into the store? Granted, it has been more than a year since I first tried it, maybe my memory isn’t quite up to par!? Regardless it was a stupid thing to do, and I really mean it this time when I say I will never convince myself that purchasing anything from Pinkberry is a good idea!
The proof is in the photograph.
Need more convincing? Check out the excerpt from wikipedia below.
“Originally marketed as frozen yogurt, Pinkberry has recently faced complaints that its product does not meet the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s definition of frozen yogurt because it does not contain the necessary amount of bacterial cultures per ounce. The Los Angeles Times sent samples of Pinkberry’s product to a lab and revealed that Pinkberry did contain active yogurt cultures, but it does not contain the minimum amount of culture to call itself frozen yogurt, according to California state law.[12] According to the Los Angeles Times, Pinkberry’s product had only 69,000 bacterial cultures per gram, compared to 200,000 for Baskin-Robbins. The National Yogurt Association (NYA) established its own criteria for live and active culture yogurt. In order for manufacturers to carry their Live and Active Culture seal, refrigerated yogurt products must contain at least 100 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture, and frozen yogurt products must contain 10 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. This level was based on a survey of leading research scientists involved in clinical studies of the health attributes associated with live and active culture yogurt”.
Pinkberry have since ‘appeared’ to have altered their recipe and have full rights to call themselves frozen yogurt, BUT! who in their right mind would want to eat ‘frozen yogurt’ from a company that deceived it’s patrons for three years? I decree, NEXT!
xoxo
Randall
Say hello to the latest addition to my ever expanding family, Randall the leopard Gecko!
Lets start by saying it was not my intention to come home with him tonight. I was supposed to be coming home with nothing more than a fishbowl. Or so I thought!
My friend Meg had come down with a sever case of a bullying goldfish. Being the good samaritan that I am, I decided to adopt it.
So off to Petco I went. In search of the perfect housing for my newly found pet. While I was there however, I pondered wether I really needed the fish?
I already had two pets at home, how necessary was the addition of a bullying goldfish?
My conclusion you may ask? Not necessary at all!
However…
I did have a very lonely, recently widowed Gecko at home who was in desperate need of a companion.
Problem solved! Now onto the next…Anybody want a fish?
xoxo
ABC easier than 123?
I finally got the amazing news I’ve been waiting for, I got accepted into college! Only I have a problem. By the time I registered for the class I wanted to partake in, it was full.
I haven’t dealt with any kind of college before, let alone an american one for that matter. My only option it seems, is to listen to everybody’s advice. The advice being; that a student is probably going to drop out within the first week and as I’m first on the waiting list I am more than likely to get in the class. Anybody who truly knows me well will know that this situation is secretly eating me alive!
Do I go with the flow and attend the classes hoping that somebody will get bored and drop out?
Or
Do I register for another class Just incase everybody’s advice is wrong?
Their are pro’s and con’s to each, which seems to always be the case. If I do register for another class it will mean I have a backup incase my fears are indeed answered, and I don’t get a place in my desired class.
BUT
What if somebody does drop out of the class?
Do I take both? or do I drop my backup class? thus making myself a drop out before the first academic week is over.
Big dilemma on my part. It’s times like these I wish I had all the money in the world. That way I could take both classes and my problem would be solved!
Life would be so much easier if the only problem I had to face right now was choosing between the latest trends in school supplies! …and such is life!
1. Etsy.com – Handmade Notebook 2. Paperchase – Teal Demask Leaf Design
On a Brighter note I’m about to watch a film about a woman who has teeth for a vagina.
Until we meet again, Adios!
xoxo
Lord of the Rings
I’ve never been big into jewelry, most of it in my opinion is cheap looking and boring.
Recently however I’ve discovered quite a love of eccentric pieces, which would make even a non jewelry lover such as I, foam at the mouth.
My one obsession being a classic staple, the ring.
Pieces I’m lusting over
1. K Brunini Jewels – Spirit Animals 2. Gisele Ganne – Divorce Jewellery 3. Digby & Iona – 14 point stag ring 4. Wendy Brandes – Onyx skull ring
“Don’t ever wear artistic jewelry; it wrecks a woman’s reputation. ~Colette, Gigi, 1944, translated”
The most common known purpose of the ring is marriage, However did you know that in the Victorian era mourning or memorial jewelry was a common factor attached to the burying, immortalizing, and remembering the dead! The earliest recollection of the ring comes from Greek mythology, specifically the tale of Prometheus.
The story of a boy who dared to steal fire from the gods. Zeus as punishment ordered Prometheus to wear an iron ring, in which was set a fragment of the mountain. That way, he would still be bound to the rock where Zeus had earlier held Prometheus captive. It is also stated however that the Greeks stole the idea of the ring from Asia where anyone who was anyone wore one!
In Other news I’m currently awaiting to see wether I have been accepted into college, it was a late application but I am sure to know in the next few days. In 6 days my life will change as I know it! I can’t wait to be busy and get my life on the way. My New years resolution is to be as positive as possible and step out of my comfort zone and be adventurous. More to come soon!! Happy new years :]
xoxo
The Girl With The World In Her Hands 