Maddies American Studies

Progression From Regression

2009-06-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

The recent recession has not only impacted the lives of the working class, it has impacted each and every human being. From the elderly, to middle aged parents trying to bring in a solid income, to fresh-out-of-college students, to teens, to children, the recession has America at an all time low. As Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger". In order for America to progress, we need a clean slate. I think that the recession will only make America stronger. It's almost like a big bucket of Clorox being poured all over the economy, the money that has been carelessly tossed around, and a multitude of other things that have all contributed to the economy. In the photo above, hundreds of people are waiting in line at a career fair. These people aren't stragglers, and they aren't low-life's. The men and women waiting in this line have resumes in their hands, and some are even in coat and tie, or a skirt and blouse. This speaks volumes to the recession that we have on our hands, because this photo shows that everybody is affected, and everybody will come through this together. I see this as progression in America.

The Pursuit of Happiness

2009-05-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

I was in Denver this weekend, visiting my brother at DU. When my mom and I weren't at DU, we stayed at a hotel not far from downtown Denver. This wasn't my first time in Denver, but this time definitely confirmed a belief I had conjured up, regarding Denver. I never really thought about it, I guess I thought it was just luck, but I definitely strongly believe that when you travel (or at least throughout America) people are different everywhere. I don't mean different as in personality wise, I mean I think people who don't live in a materialistic, uptight society (the north shore) are much more laid-back, much happier, and genuinely kind people. I'm not saying that people who live where we live are not genuine, but I do believe that people who don't look at the materialistic things in the world, and choose to see the natural beauties, are generally happier human beings. This may be a very far-fetched blog post, but I thought I'd share my findings. What do you think? Do you find that people are nicer when they aren't as better off?

The Price of Beauty

2009-05-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

When I think of progress in America, I think of overall progress, progress in many different ways. I think that America is becoming much more conscious of the economy, health issues, human interaction and other ways to help fellow citizens (or in this case, fellow human beings). On the radio this morning, I hear an interesting blurb about Jessica Simpson. Supposedly, Simpson is working on a new TV show called The Price of Beauty. Simpson is planning "on a road trip around the world in search of what people find beautiful and why." I think that this is progress in and of itself. If this comes through, and the show is produced, how amazing will it be to have Jessica Simpson (a huge idol to young girls everywhere) showing what true beauty is? This speaks progress and the fact that Simpson is even promoting the idea will hopefully show women everywhere that beauty is no longer stick-skinny, leathery tan and 10 pounds of makeup. What do you think? If this idea is produced, do you think it will have a big impact on anything? If so, what/how?

The Way We'll Work

2009-05-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

"Ten years ago, Facebook didn't exist. Ten years before that, we didn't have the web. So who knows what jobs will be born a decade from now? Though unemployment is at a 25-year high, work will eventually return. But it won't look the same. No one is going to pay you just to show up. We will see a more flexible, more freelance, more collaborative and far less secure work world. It will be run by a generation with new values--and women will increasingly be at the controls."

This article from the May 25 issue of Time Magazine talks about how work is going to change in the next ten years. I thought this article was so interesting, because its so valid. Ten years ago, Facebook was not around, yet ten years before that, the internet was not even invented. The article discusses ten ways in which the workplace will change and what will become of the "cubicle lives" and how women are soon going to rule the work world. What do you think will become of the work world? Where do you see yourself working in ten years??

The Have and The Have-Nots....

2009-05-18T17:33:00.001-07:00

I thought i'd jump on the band-wagon and also write about just how materialistic the North Shore really is. The other night, one of my brothers who lives in the city came home for dinner. We were talking about the North Shore (specifically Winnteka). When you look around at where we live, it's unbelievable and I think alot of times it's taken for granted (I'm guilty of this as well). It seems that there are too many people who are overly-concerned with their image, and "keeping up with the Jones" as K-Hop put it. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of families in the North Shore who could care less about their image, but I definitely think that some people are too concerned with being the best and having the most. My other brother goes to Denver University in Colorado and he chimed in with an interesting comment. He said that living in the North Shore does minimal preparation for the real world, and I believe it! My brother noticed that once he got to Denver, the material things didn't matter. It didn't matter how big his car was, or what clothes he was wearing or where he came from, and I thought it was really interesting how different parts of the country have different values. What do you think? Do you think that the North Shore is particulary obsessed with image? Why do you think certain parts of the country are image-obsessed yet others aren't?

Look Where They Are Now (look at our success!)

2009-05-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

Today in class we discussed the bulletin board near the second floor rotunda. The board reads: New Trier Graduates: Where are they now? What does this say about our school? Sure, there are plenty of graduates that aren't celebrities who probably deserve to be on that bulletin board more than Steve Carell, but I don't think that the bulletin board says anything about our administration. The school obviously wants to brag about the success that their previous students are now having, but who wouldn't? I think the board should have a different title, maybe something like Did you know? or something that suggests there are other New Trier graduates out there doing amazing things, they just aren't on the red carpet. I think that it's sad that we only idolize the "stars" and the "celebrities" but that's the way things have always been, and students are attracted to that bulletin board because who wouldn't want to read about the celebrity that is now walking the red carpet who once walked the halls of YOUR highschool.

Sign of...anything?

2009-05-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

I was in Ohio this past weekend for a crew regatta and found a car parked near us with the American flag clipped to the top of the window. We used to see these all the time, but I feel like we see them less now that some time has passed from 9/11. I don't see this as a sign of disrespect or loyalty to America, but I see it simply as a window decoration. I thought that it was interesting that the driver chose to put the flag on their car window of all places, and I didn't ask them! What do you think? Why put the American flag on your car window? What does that symbolize? Do you see it as disrespectful?

Empty Patriotism

2009-05-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Today in class, we talked about desicration of the American flag. What exactly is considered desicration? I heard some people argue that this means eating off of paper plates with the flag on them, or even wiping your face with a paper napkin which has the flag printed on it. I heard some people say that stapling the flag to the wall would be completely disrespectful to "the flag" (whatever this means...the flag doesn't have feelings). So what do I think? I think that the American flag is an empty symbol of "patriotism". So what if you staple it to the wall? So what if you eat off of a plate on which the flag is printed onto it? I think these are things that we have been taught to think is wrong, which makes us think that is wrong without us knowing the full meaning behind it. It is like I said today in class, you cannot claim to be a devout Christian if you don't act upon your religion. If you go to church every now and then, but don't practice what you preach, then it is meaningless. The same thing goes for the American flag, as long as you don't know the reason why it would be considered desicration and why certain actions are "disrespectful" to the flag, then they are meaningless. I hope this post made some sort of sense...

Junior Theme's DONE!

2009-05-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

After we turned in our final drafts today, I was terrified. For a month straight, we have to wait in eager anticipation to get these papers back. What if i get a bad grade? Won't this make or break my semester grade? Well I just thought i'd share my recent freak out with everyone...Here's to the scariest paper I've ever written!

Friday....? Tuesday...?

2009-04-28T21:44:00.001-07:00

So I think I finally have almost (ALMOST) finished my rough draft. It definitely needs some serious weekend-editing and I need to add a conclusion, but the Junior Theme wasn't as bad as everyone made it seem. Gathering the information was easy, and conducting my interview was a pain, but overall, once I started writing my paper it almost flew out of me! I'm sure it's not the best paper that AIS has ever seen...but I definitely think the way that I learned to approach this paper made it 10 times easier.

Junior Theme Revelation?

2009-04-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

I sat down and talked to Mr. Bolos today about my paper and what it was exactly that I was writing about. I wasn't sure what I was proving, and how I was going to prove it. Bolos suggested I look at the problem first. Okay, so what's the problem? The problem is the dramatic increase in eating disorders over the years. Okay so I know the problem, and now I need to find out why exactly this is happening. I've hit a (close to) rock bottom with my junior theme! I've gathered statistics and i have an interview set up for Tues (tomorrow) morning, but I can't answer the question. Why exactly have eating disorders become more common? I'm not sure how to approach an answer. I'm trying to prove that the media has an affect on this but I have no idea where to go from here!

Junior Theme Dos

2009-04-08T19:40:00.001-07:00

As i was doing my research for my JT topic, how body image is shaped by the media, i realized that not only have eating disorders become more prevalent, but they have become much more talked about and openly discussed. Why do you think this is? Why have so many topics become uncovered and talked about? This does not just cover body image, but it goes along with depression and other things that are spewed all over the media today. Years ago we would have never talked about depression and eating disorders that lead to death, however today it is so commonly talked about, it is almost amazing that statistics and death rates are increasing.

Recalling Recalls

2009-04-04T17:28:00.000-07:00

I was watching ABC 7 News this morning and couldnt help but notice how many news segments I had seen in the last few months about items and food being recalled from the market. I specifically remember the peanut butter recall in December/January but I saw many more between now and then. There was recently a high-chair that w

as recalled for collapsing and many food items have been recalled due to unhealthy bacteria. Here is a li

st of the recent recalls, and I think it seems more than the past years. This is just for 2009 so far. Does this have anything to do with the recession? Do you think that item recall has become more relevant, and if so, why do you think this might be? 2009 Consumer Report

Junior Theme

2009-04-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

You've probably already read dozens of posts regarding junior theme that have to do with the same topic i am doing, how we perceive what bodies are supposed to look like, through the media. The media has had an increasing affect on how women view their bodies, each and every year. As technology increases, women's self confidence decreases. Now that we have the technology to air-brush magazine photos and perfect them, women are constantly comparing themselves to the touched-up, air-brushed photo which screams impossible perfection. Below is a video that is a part of a campaign for Dove. It goes through the touch-up process and it is unbelievable what happens.

What If

2009-03-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

As my group was presenting on Friday, I realized that we were being asked so many "what if" questions. If everyone said "what if" to everything, we'd all be thinking alot. Anyway, I make my way to this blog post because I was thinking "what if" myself. What if we had started the integration process well before when it was started? What if people accepted blacks during the Reconstruction period. Would we still have the problems that sometimes arise today with segregation? If the integration process had started earlier, do you think that violent protests against blacks would have occured?

To Ban or Not To Ban...

2009-03-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Today in class we talked about wether Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be banned or not. At the beginning of our discussion, I thought to myself, well why should it be banned, we are teaching the past. I was thinking that there is no reason to hide from our past and if blacks have a problem with having this book read, then they should deal with what happend. However, the more sensitive side of me came out and I realized that I think this book should be banned. I see no purpose in reading it. We have history classes to teach us about slavery and about what happend. Despite most classmates beliefs, I think that Jim was portrayed poorly in this novel as well as a few other books relating to Huck Finn (To Kill a Mockingbird). Today Jackie said that there was no point in banning the book, it would do nothing. I disagree. I think banning the book would take african americans feelings into account. How would you feel if you were an african american student, learning about your ancestors past? Would you be disturbed? Uncomfortable? Or totally fine with it?

A Battered Star

2009-03-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

You've probably seen it all over the news, and heard your friends gabbing about it, the recent story about Chris Brown, a big artist, allegedly "beating up" his girlfriend, another big artist and role model for many, Rihanna. The other morning on Good Morning America, a photo popped up on the TV. Rihanna's face was black and blue and she looked nothing like she did when she opened for Kanye West last May. I was mortified by what I saw and the news channel goes on talking about how Rihanna has run back to Chris and they are fine after the battle, and still dating. What does this say about our media? My guess is that Rihanna is just going back to him for the press so that it looks good, but what are we promoting?

The Real Housewives of Stupidity

2009-02-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

So the other day, I turned on the TV while I was doing my homework (which I never do!) and Access Hollywood came on. Access spent a good 3 minutes talking about a show airing on Bravo called The Real Housewives series. Even seeing three minutes about the reality series disgusted me. Sure, it's what people want to watch, however it is so sad that this consumes viewers lives. This somewhat relates to Kate's recent post about the bombings in Gaza and people know nothing about them because we spend our time on FML.com. So back to my point, this show is filled with moms who are being paid rediculous amounts of money to be melodramatic and snobby. Is this really the world we are going to grow up in? Where parents, who are supposed to be our role models, are doing things that 17 year-olds do and acting like idiots? Do you think I'm being out of line, or do I have a a valid point?

6 At Home With 8 On The Way...

2009-02-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

Recently, a mother of 6 gave birth to 8. How does this happen? The whole thing is bizarre, and you'll have to read this article in Time Magazine to get the full story, but here's what I think. This mom is INSANE! She lied about taking fertility drugs so that she could have more babies...but do you think that she's in it for the media? This lady is not even married, she is a single mom living with her mother, on welfare. I think the whole story is too bizarre to summarize, so read this article and let me know what your take on the whole thing is. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1877962,00.html

Whats The Big Idea?

2009-02-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

So obviously there have already been many posts about this...but Michael Phelps was recently caught smoking weed. I think this is rediculous that he is put on the spotlight for it. I think that it was clearly a mistake given his reputation and his accomplishments, however I think that people are making way too big of a deal out of it. Phelps got unlucky and got caught, however people every day (celebrities) are doing things like this DAILY. I don't think it's fair for him to be stripped of his medals and his wins but I think unfortunately either way, he will be treated differently because of the poor decision he made. I think this is being magnified more than it needs to be. What do you take from this? Do you think Phelps is sincere with his apology?

Greedy Americans

2009-01-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

In class, we're watching The American Plenty. I found myself asking questions that I haven't thought of before. When I think of war, or scarcity of resources I think of no gas for cars and Iraq, but clearly I thought wrong. I recently learned that water is our fastest disappearing resource. I think people are being very greedy with water though. We learned about the removal of salt when sea water is extracted from the massive bodies that surround us, but won't that eventually run out as well? People all around the world are dying of thirst and we are using all the water we can get because our lawns need to look plush and because our cars need three washings a day. It's sad that we think just because one resource is running out, we'll find a way to get more. These are the old greedy american ways and i'm affraid they won't change until something big happens.

Mythological Myths?

2009-01-25T07:03:00.000-08:00

On Friday in class, Jackie brought up an interesting point. When Bolos asked if certain things that tribes will do to women in Africa is right, there were many good points. Jackie said that things like women torture or certain rituals of acceptance were immoral because they were against the womens will, however cutting off the eldest man in the family's left hand was okay because he gave his okay. How do we know that this is not against their will? How do we know that when women are put through excruciating pain that it is all they have ever known and they know its a right of passage in their culture? In my opinion, Jackie had interesting points but I dont think that is fair to say wether these people in tribes millions of miles away give their permission for these things.

The Obamas Roll In Style

2009-01-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

I thought it was so interesting to see the Obama girls at the inaguration in their outfits. These people who designed their outfits are going to go from nobody to known! The two girls wore Jcrew, head to toe. We all know Jcrew will be sold out of those outfits! Michelle Obama wore Isabel Toledo during the day and Jason Wu at the ball. I just think its gong to be interesting to see what a hit these designers become, if they become big. Doesn't it say something about our society? That when somebody worthy wears a certain designer or a certain piece, it all of the sudden becomes a big hit?

We Wonder What Happened To The Economy!

2009-01-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

And we think the economy is bad? While there are people in other countries who can't feed their families, the Chicago Cubs are paying Milton Bradley $30 million to play for them. Imagine what $30 million could do for a country. Does anybody else find this ironic? And at the same time hundreds of other major league players are being payed enormous paychecks while teachers and law-makers are being payed very little. Actors and actresses make more in one movie than many will make in one lifetime, and we wonder why we have a bad economy right now! I think its very ironic...

We Voted For Change...Now What?

2009-01-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

As my family and I sat down at dinner the other night, an interesting idea came up. So obviously just months ago, the majority of the United States voted for a black president. If you think about our world just 100 years ago, this would have been insane. I think its great that most of Americans have gotten past being racist or at least thats what it seems like. Do you think thats what people voting for Barack means? Do you think that because we will soon have a black president, that the US will be different?

Token TV Tokenism

2009-01-07T19:29:00.000-08:00

As we discussed "TV Tokenism" in class today, I found myself really finding this topic interesting. I have never noticed things in TV shows such as the black character always being a huge role or being the "buddy." I have never realized the minority being rarely complicated or interesting. Now when I watch Greys Anatomy tomorrow night, I'm going to be looking for these things, and actively watching instead of letting it blow over. We were also asked a question in class; "Is TV Tokenism a problem?" In my opinion, TV Tokenism is a problem, but on the other hand it is all that viewers have known. I think that if it really offended african-americans that there would have already been something done about it. I think it is wrong that the main characters in shows are often white and I think that it is not fair to other races but at the same time, it is how TV has been forever.

Rob and Big

2009-01-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

This morning on the news was an incredible story about an Elephant Sanctuary which is where elephants go when they get older and they are taken special care of. The elephants usually pair up with another elephant and they are best friends until they pass, but there was one elephant that found a strey dog. The elephant would only move when the Sanctuary Keepers brought the dog to the elephant and the dog soon got sick. During the time in which the dog was sick and the elphant didn't see him, the elephant stood in a corner and wouldn't eat or anything. The sanctuary keepers eventually brought the pup back and the elephant was a new animal. I find this story interesting because it shows the importance of connection. Do you think animals find the importance of relationship important too?

Full House

2009-01-04T07:06:00.000-08:00

I have three siblings, and I know that when two of them were at New Trier as seniors when I was a sophomore, I didn't like it so much. Now that they are in college, I realize how much I miss them! My oldest brother just graduated from SMU but he is in town/out of town off and on. When he's out of town and my brother and sister are at school, the house is so empty. When it's just my mom and I its the weirdest feeling! I've always been used to having people running around all the time and people coming in and out of the house and I never realized how much I would miss them until they were actually gone! Is anybody else in the same situation? Do you have siblings that are all in college all of the sudden?

Two Miles North

2009-01-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

I spent most of my winter break in Florida. We have a house and we usually go down about twice a year. This year was a bit different though. As we drove along the coast to go into Palm Beach for dinner, we drove through Minalapan, Florida. Minalapan is notorious for lavish country clubs and Donald Trumps estate, Mara Lago. As we drove down A1A, my family and I were looking at the ocean and the giant houses surrounding us, as something caught our eye. A1A is a two lane busy road that runs all through Florida and in the part where we were driving, there are no sidewalks. In the dark, we faintly saw bodies walking down the street. Some carrying babies, some were little kids and some were older. The people went on forever, there had to be at least 50 people walking down the street and we decided to ignore it and we kept driving to dinner. On our way home, we drove the same way and we see at least 5 police cars and 7 ambulances in the parking lot of the Bath and Tennis Club. As we drove past, we see those same 50 people sitting on the ground in blankets, and we concluded that they must be Cubans that had boated over. We kept driving down A1A and there was the boat. There were more police at the inlet that were investigating the boat and we saw on the news that night that they were waiting for Immigration to come and determine these Cubans futures. I think that this story is ironic because in the middle of the wealthiest part of Florida, are these people who have nothing and were trying to escape their poverty-ridden country. Nobody ever really talks about it either, I think that it was interesting to actually see the process.

We All Get What We Want

2008-12-04T20:59:00.000-08:00

The topic came up at one of my family dinners, about how Christmas has turned into a frenzie. People spend all of their time running around trying to buy the most expensive things for someone, just so that someone can want more. But what is there to want now a days? When us teenagers want something, we ask our parents for money and we usually are able to go out and buy it or have our parents go buy it. What ever happend to really waiting until your birthday or until christmas for that big gift that you've been wanting forever? I feel like the essence of Christmas and the season of giving has warn off. I think people in this world are so caught up in material posessions that nobody stops anymore to take that extra 20 minutes to sit down and think or take a walk. What do you think? Are you used to getting exactly what you want when you want it, or do you still look forward to that one time a year when you can lie a bunch of things on a list and hopefully receive a few?

For the Record

2008-12-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

The other night on MTV, a documentary that followed Britney Spears for 60 days while she filmed her newest album, Circus. I find the whole situation to be very sad. I think Britney Spears is one of the most talented people out in the media right now, and I think it is so sad that she has been ridiculed by so many paparazzi, magazines, tabloids etc. Britney Spears used to be so successful and then as she said in her documentary, she became a "go-er" and she never had time aside from the partying to stop and think. Britney said that she didn't ever want to stop and think and that she got caught up in Hollywood. Although she has had her fair share of crazy acts, I think we all would go a little crazy when our life is so difficult and at the same time you're put on a pedestal, we're only human! Does anybody else think that Britney Spears is just a girl trying to grow up in an insane world? I don't blame her but I know that some people think she's just plain crazy!

What Has Our Society Come To?

2008-11-24T19:57:00.000-08:00

On Good Morning America last week, there was a story on Youtube videos. There was one specific video that GMA was focusing on and that video was on of a father, emphasis on the word "father" who is video taping his kids (toddlers) fighting and he is egging them on. When another one of his kids steps in and tries to get the other two toddlers to stop fighting, the dad pushes the older child away and tells them to keep fighting. I found this video pretty bizarre and it has been removed from Youtube, however I was stunned to see how many more videos were just like it. We're not talking fighting as in throwing little words out here and there and a couple meaningless pinches, we're talking fist fight and punches being thrown. Does anybody else wonder what our society has come to? Since when has this become okay? To encourage your kids to fight and then post it on Youtube simply so that YOU will be recognized? I think it is completely unethical and wrong.
I found the video on Good Morning America's website, take a look and share your thoughts!

Once A Murderer, Always A Murderer....?

2008-11-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

I was watching the news the other morning and an interesting story came on. A convicted sex offender and murderer was talking about his life changing experience. He was convicted of a triple homicide, rape, and child abuse and he still lives in the same community in which he was convicted. This man was talking about how his life changed in the 14 years that he was in prison and that he swore he was a new man. Although he is trying to clean his slate, I personally think he has no right thinking he can go back to his community and live a happy life. I think that one is responsible for their decisions no matter what, and there is no going back. What do you think? Do you think of this man as a horrible person, or do you think he really could have changed?

No Parents No Common Sense

2008-10-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

In relation to Andrea's post, I also went to visit my brother at school. He's a freshman in college and loving it. Along with complete freedom from chores and parents, he gets to do whatever he wants. It was so awesome not having to do anything for a few days but when you stop one day to look at the dorm room, you realize you have a huge mess to clean up. I'm not that my brother even knows how to do his own laundry, but living on my own was fun yet scary! Doing things for yourself like buying food, doing your laundry and cleaning up was hard to get used to. It's scary to think that a little less than two years from now, we will be doing the same thing. Is anybody else nervous for college? I feel like all of the sudden its going to come very fast.

A Shared Loss

2008-10-21T16:52:00.001-07:00

For the past four summers, I have been going to my best friends lake house in Lake Owen, Wisconsin. She lives in Connecticut and goes to Deerfield Academy. Our parents grew up together and that's how i know her. We always go to the same country club for Spring break so I see her about two or three times a year. This summer was different though. Her cousins who I also see about three times a year, go to their house every summer too in Wisconsin. The cousins live in Scotland, and over the years, I have become very close with all of them (they're my age.) Being with my friends family and her cousins family made me feel like I was a part of her family too. Her Scottish cousins brought friends up with them so there were alot of kids this year and it was probably the best summer I have ever had. About a week ago, I got a phone call from Carrie. She was in tears and couldn't put together words. She finally got it out and she had told me that her oldest cousin who was 18 at the time, had passed away. When I say he was the brightest kid I have ever known, i mean he was the smartest and most interesting kid I have ever known. He got in a fatal car accident in Scotland and it was a shock to everyone. I felt like it was my own brother who had died, and it was a loss that i shared with someone thousands of miles away. I quickly learned that life is fragile and life can change in an instant. Does anybody else have a loss that was so sudden that it almost put you in shock?

What Exactly Is Ethical?

2008-10-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

Today in class we took a "quiz" on what was considered okay and what we think should be limited in the first amendment. Alot of the situations were very questionable. Should somebody be allowed to wear a t-shirt with a profane slogan or word on it? I think that this goes along with freedom of speech. I see nothing wrong with someone displaying their beliefs or what they want, on a tshirt that they put on THEIR body. As long as it is not harmful to someone else or making a threat to someone else, joking or not joking, i think it is ok.

Putting A Pause On Shopping

2008-10-15T18:46:00.001-07:00

What has happend to our economy? It seems like all of the sudden, everybody is being alot more cautious of what they are spending and how they are spending it. The way our economy has recently crashed has affected everyone. I know that i personally have been worried about my money that is saved in stock, and i know everybodys parents are in a tailspin as well. Its hard to understand at our age what exactly is happening, and today in AIS was the first time that i actually understood what was happening with the decline. Is anybody else completely confused?

Ivy Leagues

2008-10-03T04:43:00.000-07:00

When the college counselor walked into my advisory the other morning, it made me really nervous. All of the sudden all of this college "stuff" is being thrown at us. I'm being asked questions like what state/region do you want to be in, big or small school, what major, etc. Is anybody else freaked out about college? I feel like at New Trier people are so competitive and we start looking at schools way too early. I mean, I'm 16 and I'm starting to do college visits and taking tests, i wont even be in college for another two years, at least! Anyone else feeling pressured into this whole college thing?

Did Grizzly Man Deserve a Grizzly Death?

2008-09-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

When we watched Grizzly Man in class, all I could think about was that poor guy. It's definitely debatable, but I definitely think that Timothy Treadwell did not deserve what he got. Although he broke the law and had his fair share of unkind words to the park rangers, he is the only man brave enough to do what he did. Why should he be punished for his bravery? I dont think he was a nutjob and I dont believe he was crazy. Timothy Treadwell was truly interested in the bears and loved the bears. Nature was something that he enjoyed and looked at differently than most people. Treadwell meant all good things. I think that he definitely would have been consiered a hero if he had made it home alive, but in my mind, he's a bigger hero for doing exactly what he wanted and trying to make a statement. Am I saying that it's fair that he dragged his girlfriend into getting killed? No! I think its terrible that she got suckered into the same thing that he did, but neither of them had to go, but they did and niether of them deserved dying because of it.

$3.60 Is Insane!

2008-09-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

I know that talking about gas prices isn't much of a topic anymore, but it seems that nobody really understands how much is being put into a car each month. I know, at least for me, that gas prices are insane and driving a car as a teenager is basically being spoiled. Each week i get 3/4 of my tank filled by my parents and I'm responsible for the 1/4 left. At $3.60 a gallon, and even higher in some areas, gas prices make me not even want to drive! I drive a jeep and it basically snacks on gas, the mileage is awful and prices don't help. Will gas prices ever go down or are they just going to increase? If you think about how much you put into your car, you could feed a nation! I put at least $320 into my tank a month! To me, thats crazy. How are others' gas prices?