Chocolate. It is nearly impossible to be in a bad mood while eating, drinking, making, slurping, or chewing chocolate. There is just something about it that is absolutely fantastic. There are so many different treats, goodies, snacks and drinks that have some sort of chocolaty goodness about them. So here is a small compilation of a variety of chocolateness and what makes them so great.
-Chocolate Milk: I am definitely not a milk drinker but as my mom likes to say, "As long as your living in my house you will be drinking milk." My solution is to make a glass of chocolate milk. The squeeze of chocolate sauce is everything that could make a glass of milk tolerable.
-Hot Chocolate: Nothing is better than a cup of hot chocolate on a cold snowy day. Especially if you just come inside after an afternoon of sledding the hot chocolateness tastes unbelievable and it warms you up! P.S. dont forget the marshmallows.
-Chocolate Cake: A perfect slice of chocolate cake is the one of the best options for a real chocolaty dessert. Especially if its homemade, moist and topped with my mom's homemade chocolate frosting. That stuff is to die for!
-Chocolate Brownies: Fresh out of the oven brownies is my number one suggestion for a fantastic treat. I guess you have to wait long enough in order to frost them with mom's frosting but its sooo worth it. I don't even know if words can describe it.
-M&Ms: These are the perfect on-the-go chocolate snack. They are small and easy to take with you wherever. It is hard to stop yourself once you get started eating these colorful pieces of heaven. Warning: Dish out how many you know you can eat and put the bag back. There is no stopping once started!
-Reece's Peanut Butter Cups: Probably my all time favorite kind of candy. The chocolate peanut butter combination is indescribable. It melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more, more and more. The mini ones are better, its the best proportion of chocolate and peanut butter.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Compare and Contrast: Stoney Point vs. Kennedy Swim Teams
Over the past three years I have had the opportunity to compete on two different swim teams. (Well, technically 3 but I will leave the "summer league" out of the equation). From August to November, I am a member of the varsity swim team at Kennedy High School. Right when that ends I participate at the Stoney Point Y and swim for the Stingrays until the beginning of April. These two teams are very different (as they probably should be) but also have many similarities.
Coaches-
Coaches-
- Stoney Point: The coaching staff at Stoney Point is pretty good. (Read my previous post "An A+ Coach"). They push us to work hard and give us feedback when asked. There are so many little kids on this swim team, so it's hard for them to give us a lot of attention. They care about us and want to see us get better.
- Kennedy: Kennedy's coaching staff is fantastic. Basically everything I mention in "An A+ Coach," Kennedy is fortunate enough to have. They work us extremely hard but they believe in each and every swimmer which is so important. The coaches are always willing to help in any way that they can.
- Stoney Point: For most of the high school girls on this team the point in swimming during the offseason is to try and keep in shape and get a little bit of competing in. There is much less pressure and you can focus on "off" events. Most meets aren't scored and don't have much meaning. Nothing really relies on your swims and you can just have fun while gaining more experience racing.
- Kennedy: Being a competitive high school sport the main goal is to win meets, score points and compete the best you can at the state level. There is pressure to swim fast and to get certain times but at the same time team bonding and having fun is still a primary goal.
- Stoney Point: On average, during the Stoney Point season we get about 6 hours of pool time a week. The practices vary from pretty low key to fairly difficult. (I hope I don't jinx myself!) It can be frustrating because your trying to stay in shape with so little swimming but most of the time it works out. We do the same sort of drills, kick sets, pull sets and so on as any other team.
- Kennedy: Much different than my "off season" I probably workout 20 hours a week during the Kennedy season. This includes swimming and lifting along with other dryland training. Even though we work on the same types of things that we do at Stoney Point, the workouts are intense and you don't get much break. The end result is exhaustion so when its time to taper you have lots of energy.
Friday, January 27, 2012
How To: Teaching the Best Swim Lesson Possible
Ever since the spring of 2010 I have been working at the Stoney Point YMCA. My job includes a combination of teaching swimming lessons, lifeguarding, coaching swim team and teaching private swimming lessons. For the most part its a pretty easy job and I enjoy it. The most difficult aspect is teaching regular swim lessons. Its a big responsibility and its important to make it the best experience for all of the kids.
There are two "sections" of swim lessons at the YMCA. The pre-school lessons run for 30 minutes and are for kids under the age of 6. The youth lessons are 45 minutes and are for kids ages six and older. For the sake of this process analysis, I will focus on the youth lessons.
Its very important to try and form a relationship with the kids and try to get to know them better. This will allow them to trust you as the instructor better. Once we gather up, jumping in the pool is the next step and sometimes this is the most difficult part of the lesson! I always have the kids warm up by doing 10 bobs which are basically jumps up and down in the water making sure to get used to the cold temperature of the pool.
Next is practicing the kick for each of the strokes. Depending on the level, a review of how to hold the kickboard is necessary. Kicking normally takes about 10 or 15 minutes depending on the level and how many kids are in the class.
Typically we move into the stroke practice after kicking. I always try to incorporate all the strokes into the lessons so its not boring and it can keep the kids' interests. Its important to take the kids out individually so you can watch their stroke very carefully and give them feedback. While your doing this the other kids need to have something to do such as kicking on the wall or practicing their arms on the side.
Normally when there is about 10 minutes left of class its time to have a little fun and to practice things such as dives. All of the kids really enjoy this part of class and its great to use as a motivator to get through the "boring" stuff. Treading water is also done at this time. If there is a few minutes left of class I always let the kids jump off the starting blocks, this is definitely their favorite part.
Finally, when class is over I try and talk to the parents about the progress their child is making and what they need to work on. Most of the time if all of these steps are followed and run smoothly I have completed the best swim lesson possible!
There are also many things that most people wouldnt consider to be important while teaching swimming lessons. If your in a bad mood, too bad you have to put a smile on and pretend like you want to be there, at least for the duration of your class. You have to remember not to get frustrated and to praise the kids when they do something right. Parents notice if it looks like their kids are happy or having fun. Its also really important to make sure you treat all kids similarly. For instance Sally can't go first all the time and Billy better not be last every time or all hell will break out.
In the end teaching swimming lessons is very rewarding. Swimming is a life long sport that everyone should know how to do. The only way this is going to happen is if people are given the opportunity to take the best swimming lessons as possible.
There are two "sections" of swim lessons at the YMCA. The pre-school lessons run for 30 minutes and are for kids under the age of 6. The youth lessons are 45 minutes and are for kids ages six and older. For the sake of this process analysis, I will focus on the youth lessons.
Its very important to try and form a relationship with the kids and try to get to know them better. This will allow them to trust you as the instructor better. Once we gather up, jumping in the pool is the next step and sometimes this is the most difficult part of the lesson! I always have the kids warm up by doing 10 bobs which are basically jumps up and down in the water making sure to get used to the cold temperature of the pool.
Next is practicing the kick for each of the strokes. Depending on the level, a review of how to hold the kickboard is necessary. Kicking normally takes about 10 or 15 minutes depending on the level and how many kids are in the class.
Typically we move into the stroke practice after kicking. I always try to incorporate all the strokes into the lessons so its not boring and it can keep the kids' interests. Its important to take the kids out individually so you can watch their stroke very carefully and give them feedback. While your doing this the other kids need to have something to do such as kicking on the wall or practicing their arms on the side.
Normally when there is about 10 minutes left of class its time to have a little fun and to practice things such as dives. All of the kids really enjoy this part of class and its great to use as a motivator to get through the "boring" stuff. Treading water is also done at this time. If there is a few minutes left of class I always let the kids jump off the starting blocks, this is definitely their favorite part.
Finally, when class is over I try and talk to the parents about the progress their child is making and what they need to work on. Most of the time if all of these steps are followed and run smoothly I have completed the best swim lesson possible!
There are also many things that most people wouldnt consider to be important while teaching swimming lessons. If your in a bad mood, too bad you have to put a smile on and pretend like you want to be there, at least for the duration of your class. You have to remember not to get frustrated and to praise the kids when they do something right. Parents notice if it looks like their kids are happy or having fun. Its also really important to make sure you treat all kids similarly. For instance Sally can't go first all the time and Billy better not be last every time or all hell will break out.
In the end teaching swimming lessons is very rewarding. Swimming is a life long sport that everyone should know how to do. The only way this is going to happen is if people are given the opportunity to take the best swimming lessons as possible.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
School Uniforms
Imagine waking up every day and having no choice but putting on the exact same uniform as you did the day before and the week before that and the year before that. Whether or not there are advantages or disadvantages of school uniforms is a highly debated topic with truly only disadvantages. School uniforms are a financial burden, don’t allow for any comfort, and they take away any individuality a student may possess.
One of the many disadvantages to requiring school uniforms is the financial burden it may place on families. Uniforms are not cheap and every student needs multiple sets along with different pieces for different seasons and so on. The issue is not just the buying of these uniforms but in addition to that families have to buy “regular” clothes to wear outside of school. Kids are not going to wear their plaid skirts and khakis to the playground. The additional cost of then buying jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts and sweatpants causes the issue and additional cost. Affording two wardrobes is extremely difficult for many families and is completely unnecessary.
Being comfortable is extremely important in the success of a student in school. Being required to wear school uniforms does not help with this. When kids are forced to wear the itchy, tight, and rigid uniforms they are not going to be comfortable, in more ways than one. First of all, literally this clothing is not going to be easy to move around and be active in and it is going to be distracting throughout the school day. Second, when children are told what to wear they are not going to feel right in their own skin. They might feel like they are being forced to dress like someone they are not and it is not okay to just allow that to happen.
Lastly, and most importantly school uniforms take away the individuality and diversity of students everywhere. The lack of choice doesn’t allow students to express themselves about who they are as a person. Kids are supposed to figure out who they want to be and how they want to be known. When they can’t express themselves through the clothing or shoes they wear they are missing out on that whole aspect of growing up. This may sound a bit ridiculous, just because its clothing but it makes a difference. Students who have to wear uniforms are deprived of making those everyday choices and setting limits that all other students get to experience.
Because of school uniforms, students everywhere are missing out on the opportunities to express and define themselves as a unique human being. The lack of diversity in these schools is unfortunate and kids are not facing the diversity and individuality that they should be allowed to experience every day in school.
T.V. or No T.V?
Television has definitely played an influential role in the United States’ presidential elections since the 1960s. The immense power of television images and personalities may have over time affected who is elected as the most powerful leader in the world. While campaigning, candidates are pursuing image and popularity, which television helps them achieve. Some Americans are not voting for who has the best ideas and concepts; they are attracted to the figure that television and the media support.
First, I am not implying that any past presidential election should have gone the other way; I am just providing examples and ideas to consider. Over the past 50 years, the power of television has increased immensely to a point where it has come to control many things within our daily lives. One of the most important aspects that may make the largest impact is the television media. Presidential campaigning is a media battle. With the hustle and bustle of people’s average daily lives, we don’t take the time to sit down and research the different candidates or come to conclusions on our own. It is too easy to flip the television on and listen to what the nightly reporter has to say. According to Source E, in early 1968 Lyndon B. Johnson was running for reelection and because of Walter Cronkite’s reporting from Vietnam was forced to drop out of the race. The American people trusted CBS’s Cronkite and believed along with him that the current war was hopeless; they weren’t going to support Johnson any longer. The president believed the polls, which showed Cronkite was trusted by the Americans to “tell it the way it is.” On hearing Cronkite’s statements and seeing the polls, Johnson told his aides, “It’s all over” and announced he was dropping out of the race a few weeks later. This doesn’t seem fair that one reporter had such a huge effect on an election. There is no doubt that television media may have hurt the presidential race in 1968.
The media also has the power to pick and choose what to support and more importantly what to bash. The world of television is so biased and there are many people who may not even realize it. The problem with this is that people are not getting the entire picture. Source F discusses a Republican debate saying, “It is a joke to call an event like the one that transpired tonight a debate.” If this was the word the media was putting out, the public would probably agree. But Source F continues to say, “Because we were able to pull the best three or four minutes out of the ninety-minute event (the debate), Nightline made the whole thing look pretty good.” This evidence proves how much the media can skew how certain things in politics can look.
Another negative aspect of how television has been influential in past presidential elections is what the candidates started to pursue because of the effects of television. The table in Source D provides the statistics that the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate had the highest rating until at least the 2000 election. The novelty of this first televised debate may have been a reason for the high ratings. There is no doubt that this race was influenced by image more than any other election before this time. Theodore H. White states in Source C, “Kennedy’s victory in the debates were largely a triumph of image over content.” For the first time, people could catch a glimpse of who they were listening to and it undoubtedly affected their opinions. White also noted, “Kennedy benefited because his image on television was ‘crisp’; Nixon’s—light-colored suit, wrong makeup, bad posture—was ‘fuzzed’.” People who listened to the debates on the radio had other opinions about who should have “won” the debate. This proves that viewing these debates plays a huge role in forming opinions about which candidate won the debate. Source C concludes with the idea that, “television had won the nation away from sound to images in 1960…politics has become a competition for images, rather than between ideals.” Kennedy’s image advantages helped him defeat Nixon in the 1960 election. Did people really vote for who had the best policies and most experience or was Kennedy popular because he was young, smart and had television appeal? It seems utterly wrong that something so important can be decided by something as simple as seeing what just meets the eye.
Television advertising is another aspect of television’s influence in the United States. Today there seems to be more attack ads rather than the typical “vote for me” variety. These visual attacks campaigns place on each other are appealing to the public and give the media something to talk about and analyze. The candidates seem more focused more on what their competitors are doing wrong than what they are doing right. In this never ending circle, the public isn’t getting any information on the candidate’s own policies.
Over the course of the last 50 years there have undoubtedly been many presidential elections that were skewed or effected by television. It may not have been for the worse and we will never know, but many candidates never even had the chance to compete effectively because of how the media and public view certain images. I find it very hard to accept that television can have such a large impact on this very important decision that we have the right to make such as electing the next president of the United States of America.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Winter Weather Warning
Eastern Iowa is now prepping for the first official winter weather warning of the winter season. Over the course of the next 24 hours, the temperature will be dropping significantly, the winds will increase and there is 1-3" of snow predicted. It's going to be a lot to take in after the warm weather we have been able to enjoy over the past few weeks. I know that I have gotten used too and I'm sure many others as well not having to wear a coat, scrape the car, or drive extra cautiously.
In this little transition of what I like to call "our hint of spring becomes reality" I have taken the time to think about how much fun a little winter weather can bring if you just have the right attitude! As I have said in previous blog posts, for the most part winter weather is not fun. It's cold, depressing and a hassle. But there are a few certain things such as two hour delays, early dismissals and snow days that can make up for it.
Even though most of us do think about the fact that we have to make up everyday we miss once June rolls around the corner, missing a few days of school in the middle of winter is really quite nice. The anticipation ALWAYS starts the day before. Everyone is talking about the forecast and how much snow or ice is on the way. Sometimes teachers even mention when assignments or due or when tests will be taken if there isn't school the next day. I'm sure the night before the storm, the percentage of young adults that watch the news skyrockets up. People want to know whats going on so they can anticipate the plan for the next day.
Its a pretty darn good feeling waking up the next morning and rolling over to look at the clock and seeing 9:30. Yay! No school today. You dash to the window to see just how much snow or ice arrived while you were sleeping. Now what to do for the day.....I always like to be extremely lazy on snow days. I rarely go anywhere except for maybe swim practice if the roads and conditions are better by nighttime. Watching TV and movies is a must while enjoying some hot chocolate and other yummy snacks. Because my mom works from home and my dad works for the schools, most snow days my whole family is at home. We tend to play lots of games, specifically Catch Phrase tournaments. As the day dwindles down its hard not hoping for another cancellation, and many times that phone call grants your wish!
Two hour delays and early dismissals are a pretty nice benefit from the bad weather. These are great because a full day of school is counted and most of the time the teacher's plan is wrecked anyway so classes aren't too difficult! I know for a fact that know one jumps as much when the intercom system turns on than on a anticipated snowy day.
Even though winter weather in Iowa is not the most fun, there are definitely some things that can make up for it!
In this little transition of what I like to call "our hint of spring becomes reality" I have taken the time to think about how much fun a little winter weather can bring if you just have the right attitude! As I have said in previous blog posts, for the most part winter weather is not fun. It's cold, depressing and a hassle. But there are a few certain things such as two hour delays, early dismissals and snow days that can make up for it.
Even though most of us do think about the fact that we have to make up everyday we miss once June rolls around the corner, missing a few days of school in the middle of winter is really quite nice. The anticipation ALWAYS starts the day before. Everyone is talking about the forecast and how much snow or ice is on the way. Sometimes teachers even mention when assignments or due or when tests will be taken if there isn't school the next day. I'm sure the night before the storm, the percentage of young adults that watch the news skyrockets up. People want to know whats going on so they can anticipate the plan for the next day.
Its a pretty darn good feeling waking up the next morning and rolling over to look at the clock and seeing 9:30. Yay! No school today. You dash to the window to see just how much snow or ice arrived while you were sleeping. Now what to do for the day.....I always like to be extremely lazy on snow days. I rarely go anywhere except for maybe swim practice if the roads and conditions are better by nighttime. Watching TV and movies is a must while enjoying some hot chocolate and other yummy snacks. Because my mom works from home and my dad works for the schools, most snow days my whole family is at home. We tend to play lots of games, specifically Catch Phrase tournaments. As the day dwindles down its hard not hoping for another cancellation, and many times that phone call grants your wish!
Two hour delays and early dismissals are a pretty nice benefit from the bad weather. These are great because a full day of school is counted and most of the time the teacher's plan is wrecked anyway so classes aren't too difficult! I know for a fact that know one jumps as much when the intercom system turns on than on a anticipated snowy day.
Even though winter weather in Iowa is not the most fun, there are definitely some things that can make up for it!
An A+ Coach
Dictionary.com defines a coach as a person who trains, directs or gives instruction most commonly to a team or player. I believe that a coach has to be much more than that. Most people at some point in their life have had a coach for one thing or another. Now this may technically be a director or advisor for a play, show choir or debate but they still have the same principles.
For the sake of this blog post I am going to talk specifically about the coaching of athletics, probably with a focus on swimming because this is what I have experience in. A coach is someone that the athletes need to trust. A role model. Someone that kids can look up to and want to respect. I firmly believe that a team does not have a chance at anything if the coach is not respected. How is a football team going to win a game if they don't trust that their coach is calling the right plays? Athletes have to know that their coach has had the experience and has the knowledge to do what's best for the team.
A good coach will also listen to their athletes if they have new ideas or comments that are worth sharing. Athletes should have a say in their team goals and how the goals are going to be achieved. A good coach is motivational without being too pushy. There have been times when I have been in the middle of an extremely difficult set. My arms and legs are burning and I can barely catch my breath. Just hearing my coach say something like "Looks great Amanda" or "Keep up the good work" is the last bit of motivation I need to get through the set. These are the things that good coaches can come up with. I don't think athletes should be praised constantly, but its the equation of everything put together that coaches know how to solve.
A good coach needs to be able to incorporate fun along with competing and working hard. There isn't a point in participating in sports or activities if its no fun at all. If a coach was depressed and gruff all the time the athletes would most likely not have a positive attitude and not have any fun. On the other hand, a coach that has too much fun may not be the best either. You don't want to get to a competition and be blown away.
There are many things that a good coach must be aware of and incorporate into their coaching styles. I am very fortunate to have great coaches that allow the perfect balance of fun, hard work and most of all...competing.
For the sake of this blog post I am going to talk specifically about the coaching of athletics, probably with a focus on swimming because this is what I have experience in. A coach is someone that the athletes need to trust. A role model. Someone that kids can look up to and want to respect. I firmly believe that a team does not have a chance at anything if the coach is not respected. How is a football team going to win a game if they don't trust that their coach is calling the right plays? Athletes have to know that their coach has had the experience and has the knowledge to do what's best for the team.
A good coach will also listen to their athletes if they have new ideas or comments that are worth sharing. Athletes should have a say in their team goals and how the goals are going to be achieved. A good coach is motivational without being too pushy. There have been times when I have been in the middle of an extremely difficult set. My arms and legs are burning and I can barely catch my breath. Just hearing my coach say something like "Looks great Amanda" or "Keep up the good work" is the last bit of motivation I need to get through the set. These are the things that good coaches can come up with. I don't think athletes should be praised constantly, but its the equation of everything put together that coaches know how to solve.
A good coach needs to be able to incorporate fun along with competing and working hard. There isn't a point in participating in sports or activities if its no fun at all. If a coach was depressed and gruff all the time the athletes would most likely not have a positive attitude and not have any fun. On the other hand, a coach that has too much fun may not be the best either. You don't want to get to a competition and be blown away.
There are many things that a good coach must be aware of and incorporate into their coaching styles. I am very fortunate to have great coaches that allow the perfect balance of fun, hard work and most of all...competing.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
It's Up to You to Decide...The College Search
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" This is a question that kids ages 3 to 18 are consistently asked. The only thing that differs is how serious the answer must be. Once you reach about the age of 15, this question is real. You really have to know what you want to study and do for the rest of your life.
The college search has arrived. Being half way through my junior year of high school, the college search has definitely snuck up on me a little. This is the time that students should be visiting schools, talking to their guidance counselors and partaking in job shadows. I am finding it so hard to realize that I have to make some of this a priority. I can't believe that in one year I need to be basically done applying to colleges and sending in scholarship applications. I have no idea where the next 12 months will lead me.
Having a father as a guidance counselor is definitely to my advantage. He gives me advice on which tests to take and when to take them along with what schools have good programs and so on. These words of wisdom certainly come in handy, but by no means make the decision for me.
Quite frequently I am asked what I want to study, where I want to go to school, if I want to swim in college and many other similar questions. Almost every answer is "I don't know." I have a general idea that I came up with that I want to do something in the medical field, maybe a physical therapist or physicians assistant. I don't know for a fact this is what I want to do. I seriously don't know if I want to swim in college I will have to sit down and really think about that one before I research one thing or another.
This past summer when my family went to Wisconsin for a small last minute vacation, my parents took me on a few college visits. We visited University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Marquette University. I had no interest in these schools they were just convenient. Later that summer I had the opportunity to visit Drake University and Creighton University, both my parents have attended in the past. I liked things about each school, but nothing really stuck out at me. I don't know if I don't have an open mind or if I haven't found "the place" yet.
What I do know is that the next 12 months are probably going to be pretty packed with taking tests, researching schools and scholarships and hopefully taking some college visits. Luckily I still have time and don't have to rush on my decision making. In the end I know that its up to me to decide....and that's scary.
The college search has arrived. Being half way through my junior year of high school, the college search has definitely snuck up on me a little. This is the time that students should be visiting schools, talking to their guidance counselors and partaking in job shadows. I am finding it so hard to realize that I have to make some of this a priority. I can't believe that in one year I need to be basically done applying to colleges and sending in scholarship applications. I have no idea where the next 12 months will lead me.
Having a father as a guidance counselor is definitely to my advantage. He gives me advice on which tests to take and when to take them along with what schools have good programs and so on. These words of wisdom certainly come in handy, but by no means make the decision for me.
Quite frequently I am asked what I want to study, where I want to go to school, if I want to swim in college and many other similar questions. Almost every answer is "I don't know." I have a general idea that I came up with that I want to do something in the medical field, maybe a physical therapist or physicians assistant. I don't know for a fact this is what I want to do. I seriously don't know if I want to swim in college I will have to sit down and really think about that one before I research one thing or another.
This past summer when my family went to Wisconsin for a small last minute vacation, my parents took me on a few college visits. We visited University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Marquette University. I had no interest in these schools they were just convenient. Later that summer I had the opportunity to visit Drake University and Creighton University, both my parents have attended in the past. I liked things about each school, but nothing really stuck out at me. I don't know if I don't have an open mind or if I haven't found "the place" yet.
What I do know is that the next 12 months are probably going to be pretty packed with taking tests, researching schools and scholarships and hopefully taking some college visits. Luckily I still have time and don't have to rush on my decision making. In the end I know that its up to me to decide....and that's scary.
Tebow Madness
Denver Broncos quarterback, Tim Tebow is a dream come true for many. His style of play may not be like any other NFL quarterback in the league but someone or something is looking out for him.
Growing up close to a life long Denver Broncos fan (my dad), I can see the impact Tebow has had over the past few months. He has given the fans a glimpse of hope and pride in their team. It has been years since the Broncos have been in the NFL playoffs and they have already beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round. The team is actually winning games, it may not be pretty but in the end it doesn't matter and not even that was happening before Tebow took his start.
I am convinced that Tebow has become a blessing from above for the sports media. There is quite a bit of controversy that comes with this quarterback . He really isn't very good but somehow he makes things happen. Many people are concerned with his outspoken religious feelings. This has sparked SNL skits and fans creating "Jesus" jerseys, sporting his number 15. Tebow is one-of-a-kind. He is a leader, a friend, a competitor people are calling him the Messiah. Is this out of hand? I don't know but I'm sure a sports writer somewhere has addressed it.
Tebowing has become an even bigger sensation over the past few months. This is the act of kneeling on one knee with your head bowed, hand in a fist and start praying, even if everyone else is doing something completely different. For more on this craze read my blog entry, "Internet Sensations....Taking a Turn for the Crazier."
This past weekend in the upset win over Pittsburgh, Tebow had some incredible stats. Known for his faith and religious views, Tebow has sported eye-black with the passage John 3:16. Because of a queer set of stats from this most recent football game this passage has gained quite a bit of attention.
-Tebow had a total of 316 passing yards
-Tebow threw for 10 passes, this means his average was 31.6 yards
-The only interception of the game came from Ben Roethlisberger; what down did he throw it? 3rd and 16 of course!
When Tim Tebow threw the 80 yard touchdown pass in overtime, not only did he record the quickest overtime ever (11 seconds) but he set a new record for sports tweets on Twitter. According to Twitter, his hero-like play set a record of 9420 tweets per second (pcworld.com). Tebow broke the old mark that the Japan vs. U.S. World Cup Final set in 2011. This record bested events such as the Royal Wedding, death of Osama Bin Laden and the announcement of Beyonce's pregnancy.
Tebow has become famous for his comebacks and finishes. How is he going to finish out this NFL season? I guess we will just have to tune in and find out.
Growing up close to a life long Denver Broncos fan (my dad), I can see the impact Tebow has had over the past few months. He has given the fans a glimpse of hope and pride in their team. It has been years since the Broncos have been in the NFL playoffs and they have already beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round. The team is actually winning games, it may not be pretty but in the end it doesn't matter and not even that was happening before Tebow took his start.
I am convinced that Tebow has become a blessing from above for the sports media. There is quite a bit of controversy that comes with this quarterback . He really isn't very good but somehow he makes things happen. Many people are concerned with his outspoken religious feelings. This has sparked SNL skits and fans creating "Jesus" jerseys, sporting his number 15. Tebow is one-of-a-kind. He is a leader, a friend, a competitor people are calling him the Messiah. Is this out of hand? I don't know but I'm sure a sports writer somewhere has addressed it.
Tebowing has become an even bigger sensation over the past few months. This is the act of kneeling on one knee with your head bowed, hand in a fist and start praying, even if everyone else is doing something completely different. For more on this craze read my blog entry, "Internet Sensations....Taking a Turn for the Crazier."
This past weekend in the upset win over Pittsburgh, Tebow had some incredible stats. Known for his faith and religious views, Tebow has sported eye-black with the passage John 3:16. Because of a queer set of stats from this most recent football game this passage has gained quite a bit of attention.
-Tebow had a total of 316 passing yards
-Tebow threw for 10 passes, this means his average was 31.6 yards
-The only interception of the game came from Ben Roethlisberger; what down did he throw it? 3rd and 16 of course!
When Tim Tebow threw the 80 yard touchdown pass in overtime, not only did he record the quickest overtime ever (11 seconds) but he set a new record for sports tweets on Twitter. According to Twitter, his hero-like play set a record of 9420 tweets per second (pcworld.com). Tebow broke the old mark that the Japan vs. U.S. World Cup Final set in 2011. This record bested events such as the Royal Wedding, death of Osama Bin Laden and the announcement of Beyonce's pregnancy.
Tebow has become famous for his comebacks and finishes. How is he going to finish out this NFL season? I guess we will just have to tune in and find out.
Book Review: Pride and Prejudice
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Dover Publications, Inc. New York. 1995. (262 pages)
After completing Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, I feel like I have had quite a bit of experience reading some of literature’s most famous classic novels. Pride and Prejudice was just as challenging as some of the other novels I have read such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.
Just like the other classic books I have read, Pride and Prejudice began its story with so many characters that I had an extremely hard time keeping them straight. There were multiple times I had to find charts on the Internet and consult them as I read. It was hard to keep the names of the families, such as the Bennets or Bingleys, apart or the names of towns or estates, such as Netherfield or Pemberley, straight. Just as in Wuthering Heights, this made it difficult to focus on the plot, rather than the characters and the setting.
The switching of narrators also made this book a challenge. When there isn’t a consistent person telling the story or distinct breaks in which a different narrator begins, it makes the book harder to follow. In this novel, the narration shifted many times within one chapter, sometimes within in the same paragraph. As this book takes place in England in the early 1800s, the English is hard to decipher at some points. There were many large words that I didn’t know the meaning of and there were several old English words that aren’t used today. This made for some frustrating reading but it probably helped my vocabulary in the end.
The relationships between characters and the “love story” theme reminds me a bit of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Romeo and Juliet. These classic novels are filled with drama and twists that most people cannot predict. This is something I enjoyed reading about in Pride and Prejudice. The way the Bennet sisters interacted with another and how everyone seemed to have his or her own story made the plot interesting and unique. An aspect that made this novel practical to read was the short chapters. This made it much easier to read a bit and stop if needed. I do not like starting and stopping in the middle of a chapter and I did not have that problem with this novel.
The experience of reading classic novels is something everyone should strive to achieve. It’s challenging but worth it in the end because you feel like a more accomplished reader. After reading two of what may be considered literature’s greatest novels so far this term, I am anxious to move on to another genre. I have learned over the course of the last few reads that there are many aspects to novels, so there is bound to be something I can enjoy in all types of books.
Book Review: Wuthering Heights
Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. HarperCollins Publishers: New York. 2009. (427 pages)
The experience of reading Wuthering Heights was definitely a new one for me. This book was extremely challenging and there were many aspects to it that I was not used to nor were they very enjoyable in my opinion. This timeless classic that included everything from love, cruelty, passion, hatred and supernatural elements was a read that I won’t forget.
There were many things in this novel that made this read challenging. First, the beginning of the story started with too many characters. I found it difficult to focus on what was happening in the plot because I had to keep going back or checking my resources just to remember who the characters were or who is related to whom, for example. Also at the beginning of the book, I had a hard time understanding who was narrating, whether it was Nelly or Lockwood. Once I took the time to search for clues I eventually was able to come to a conclusion about the narrator.
The difficulty was increased as well because this novel took place over the course of a long period of time. From beginning to end, the book spans over 32 years and two generations. In addition, Emily Bronte used a bit of repetition with the characters. Names were recycled, such as Catherine from mother to daughter, or last names became first names such as Isabella Linton Heathcliff gave birth to Linton Heathcliff. This was extremely confusing to keep straight and made it difficult to follow. As this classic takes place in the late 1700s and early 1800s and was written in the mid-1800s, the use of old English was also a challenging aspect. The bit of Yorkshire dialect was almost impossible to comprehend, but luckily it wasn’t necessarily key to understanding the plot.
There were definitely bits and pieces in Wuthering Heights that I enjoyed. First, it was truly satisfactory when I would finish a chapter or section and I felt like I understood what was going on in that section. Due to of all the challenges it felt like an accomplishment when this would occur. Once I was about a third of the way through the novel, this became easier because I was accustomed to the time period and the characters. I also seemed to find a bit of humor in some areas of this book because it was so absurd. I understand this was written a very long time ago but the way that the characters interacted with each other was absolutely ridiculous at times.
The last book I read that was similar to Wuthering Heights was probably the classic, Jane Eyre which I read two years ago. This shows that this classical genre is also new for me. Jane Eyre took place a long time ago and had many characters to get accustomed to as well. I remember that book also contained difficult vocabulary words and confusing plots, similar to Wuthering Heights. Jane Eyre did not incorporate any supernatural elements nor did it have as much of a destructive or dark theme. After reading this book I can say that it was very frustrating and difficult at times, but in the end I am glad that I had the chance to experience this classic novel.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Looking from the Outside In
Every night that my family was on our cruise, we would come back to our cabin with the beds tidy and ready for bed, sheets unfolded and a cute little towel figure waiting for us on the pillows. Every morning when we came back from breakfast our beds would be made, the trash emptied and new towels were on the racks. This took some serious hard work and organization. It made me think about how hard these ship workers really work all day every day.
In the newsletter we received each morning with that day's schedule of events and important information I read that there was a total of 1,200 workers on board of the Voyager of the Seas. This includes stateroom attendants, waiters and waitresses, bar tenders, hostesses, desk help, captains, nurses, chefs, mechanics, performers, event coordinators and many more. Not once did I see one of these workers have a frown on their face nor did I hear a complaint or any sign of stress or unhappiness. It was quite unreal.
One thing I did not expect before I got on board of the ship was the amount of foreign workers there would be. We had waiters and staff help us anywhere from Mexico, Peru, China, Romania, South Africa, Greece, Japan, Philippines, Honduras, Lithuania, France, Jamaica and many other places all over the world. They were all there to do one thing-work.
What amazed me is that they all seemed to enjoy their work. When talking to our dinner waiters, who were both from the Philippines, we discovered that these people work 6-8 months at a time per contract. Many are on their fifth or sixth contract of their career. They have families back home and they are earning money to send back to them. Ursela, our assistant waiter, had a little boy back home. I do not know how she leaves him for such long periods of time.
Many of the accents that these workers spoke with showed that English was not their first language. This is just another example of how determined and hard working this crew really was. It was so easy to be kind and use my best manners because I wanted to "give back" as much as I could. I can't imagine working in the same bar for eight months straight, on a boat, without my family. Even if it was just a smile I hope it encouraged them even more.
I think we can learn a lot from people like this. In my opinion it really showed the power of what people are willing to do in order to support their loved ones and make a living for themselves.
In the newsletter we received each morning with that day's schedule of events and important information I read that there was a total of 1,200 workers on board of the Voyager of the Seas. This includes stateroom attendants, waiters and waitresses, bar tenders, hostesses, desk help, captains, nurses, chefs, mechanics, performers, event coordinators and many more. Not once did I see one of these workers have a frown on their face nor did I hear a complaint or any sign of stress or unhappiness. It was quite unreal.
One thing I did not expect before I got on board of the ship was the amount of foreign workers there would be. We had waiters and staff help us anywhere from Mexico, Peru, China, Romania, South Africa, Greece, Japan, Philippines, Honduras, Lithuania, France, Jamaica and many other places all over the world. They were all there to do one thing-work.
What amazed me is that they all seemed to enjoy their work. When talking to our dinner waiters, who were both from the Philippines, we discovered that these people work 6-8 months at a time per contract. Many are on their fifth or sixth contract of their career. They have families back home and they are earning money to send back to them. Ursela, our assistant waiter, had a little boy back home. I do not know how she leaves him for such long periods of time.
Many of the accents that these workers spoke with showed that English was not their first language. This is just another example of how determined and hard working this crew really was. It was so easy to be kind and use my best manners because I wanted to "give back" as much as I could. I can't imagine working in the same bar for eight months straight, on a boat, without my family. Even if it was just a smile I hope it encouraged them even more.
I think we can learn a lot from people like this. In my opinion it really showed the power of what people are willing to do in order to support their loved ones and make a living for themselves.
A Not so Snowy Start
As everyone is wrapping up their post-holiday activities people have really started to realize that something seems to be missing....snow! Most of the time quite a few people hope for a white Christmas and then pray it melts away within a few days. Now that we know that didn't happen is anyone wishing for snow?
I know for a fact that I am not. In previous years I would not really care one way or another. Now that I am driving I really don't want to drive in the snow. People still drive like crazy so you become a bit terrified and it takes longer to get everywhere. We have had one encounter with slightly slick roads and flurries and that was enough for me. It was terrifying as it was, I do not want to deal with 6 inches of snow and ice as I'm sure most people would agree.
Instead of dealing with the typical Iowa snowstorms, ice storms and high winds there has been some extremely great weather. Records have been broken all across the state over the past few weeks. According to kcrg.com, the record high for January 5th was 54 degrees until a few days ago when the official temperature for Cedar Rapids reached 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The nearby Iowa City reached 61 which is practically unheard of in January. It's not just Iowa seeing these warm temperatures, but records are actually being smashed around the Midwest.
Local Cedar Rapidians are definitely taking advantage of this rare start to the New Year. Golf courses were able to open last week and many golfers took the opportunity to get a round or two in. Golfing in January? Yeah it sounds crazy but it was reality. There has also been an increase in people going for outdoor runs or bike rides.
Don't get me wrong, maybe one snowstorm would be nice to have, but just one though! I think everyone has that little kid inside of them hoping for a snow day. That feeling of looking out your window and seeing a foot of snow on a school day never gets old. Being able to relax inside with some hot chocolate on your day off or going sledding with friends are always memories you will remember forever. Even though were almost half way through January, doesn't mean the winter is over. Who knows what the weather may bring, we just have to sit back and enjoy what we have, while we have it!
I know for a fact that I am not. In previous years I would not really care one way or another. Now that I am driving I really don't want to drive in the snow. People still drive like crazy so you become a bit terrified and it takes longer to get everywhere. We have had one encounter with slightly slick roads and flurries and that was enough for me. It was terrifying as it was, I do not want to deal with 6 inches of snow and ice as I'm sure most people would agree.
Instead of dealing with the typical Iowa snowstorms, ice storms and high winds there has been some extremely great weather. Records have been broken all across the state over the past few weeks. According to kcrg.com, the record high for January 5th was 54 degrees until a few days ago when the official temperature for Cedar Rapids reached 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The nearby Iowa City reached 61 which is practically unheard of in January. It's not just Iowa seeing these warm temperatures, but records are actually being smashed around the Midwest.
Local Cedar Rapidians are definitely taking advantage of this rare start to the New Year. Golf courses were able to open last week and many golfers took the opportunity to get a round or two in. Golfing in January? Yeah it sounds crazy but it was reality. There has also been an increase in people going for outdoor runs or bike rides.
Don't get me wrong, maybe one snowstorm would be nice to have, but just one though! I think everyone has that little kid inside of them hoping for a snow day. That feeling of looking out your window and seeing a foot of snow on a school day never gets old. Being able to relax inside with some hot chocolate on your day off or going sledding with friends are always memories you will remember forever. Even though were almost half way through January, doesn't mean the winter is over. Who knows what the weather may bring, we just have to sit back and enjoy what we have, while we have it!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Dunns River Falls
Last week I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a week long Caribbean cruise. One of our three ports was the island of Jamaica. It was here that I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Dunns River Falls is a famous waterfall near Ocho Rios, Jamaica and a major Caribbean tourist attraction that attracts thousands of visitors each year (Wikipedia). Climbing the falls is a very popular activity to take part in when visiting. My family was able to do this and it was absolutely incredible.
Being greeted by many friendly local Jamaicans was the first aspect of this adventure. We were part of a tour so the group that was on our bus stayed together for the climb. Eventually we were introduced to our guide who would help us throughout the trek. All the guides dancing around in their matching blue shirts spread a bit of excitement and fun throughout the tourist groups. We were taught a few Jamaican sayings and dances, it was hilarious and a blast!
In addition to the guide there was a "video/photo" crew member. They were in charge of taking pictures and video clips that we could see at the end. For the most part, theses yellow-shirted Jamaicans were the ones who led us in song and dance. The trek started out with everyone in a hand-holding chain lead by our guide. The water was very cold at first but eventually it was easy to warm up to it.
From that point on the experience really began. It was a fairly physical activity due to the fact of slippery rocks, strong currents and lack of balance. I dont think any klutzy person would have survived! Throughout the climb there were various "lagoons" or pools of water we could take pictures in or jump off other rocks into them. The view and beauty of the scenery was unimaginable. Once we reached the top after about an hour there was a sign that read "You have now completed the world famous Dunns River Falls Climb." I don't think I will ever forget this experience and I definitely recommend it to anyone who happens to be in Jamaica!
Dunns River Falls is a famous waterfall near Ocho Rios, Jamaica and a major Caribbean tourist attraction that attracts thousands of visitors each year (Wikipedia). Climbing the falls is a very popular activity to take part in when visiting. My family was able to do this and it was absolutely incredible.
Being greeted by many friendly local Jamaicans was the first aspect of this adventure. We were part of a tour so the group that was on our bus stayed together for the climb. Eventually we were introduced to our guide who would help us throughout the trek. All the guides dancing around in their matching blue shirts spread a bit of excitement and fun throughout the tourist groups. We were taught a few Jamaican sayings and dances, it was hilarious and a blast!
In addition to the guide there was a "video/photo" crew member. They were in charge of taking pictures and video clips that we could see at the end. For the most part, theses yellow-shirted Jamaicans were the ones who led us in song and dance. The trek started out with everyone in a hand-holding chain lead by our guide. The water was very cold at first but eventually it was easy to warm up to it.
From that point on the experience really began. It was a fairly physical activity due to the fact of slippery rocks, strong currents and lack of balance. I dont think any klutzy person would have survived! Throughout the climb there were various "lagoons" or pools of water we could take pictures in or jump off other rocks into them. The view and beauty of the scenery was unimaginable. Once we reached the top after about an hour there was a sign that read "You have now completed the world famous Dunns River Falls Climb." I don't think I will ever forget this experience and I definitely recommend it to anyone who happens to be in Jamaica!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Proud to be an Iowan
Recently, Steven Bloom wrote an article for the Atlantic discussing his twenty years of living in Iowa life. This controversial article has brought many disputes over its accuracy and the observations he reported. In Bloom’s essay he is blatantly bias and skews his observations to fit his one-sided opinion on the state of rural Iowa.
In his writings Bloom only describes rural Iowa and conveniently does not include the major cities that are a major part of Iowa’s culture. Bloom refers to many cities in Iowa as “depressed, crime infested slum towns… and some of the skuzziest places he has been.” The contrast between our agricultural societies and urbanized cities is unbelievable but instead of focusing on the positive aspects of this difference he completely leaves it out. His focus is centered on rural Iowa along with misleading information. He says that “hunting and fishing are main hobbies of rural Iowans” despite the fact that since 1992 the amount of Iowans receiving hunting licenses has decreased by 30 percent, according to Bernard Sherman (writer of “Look to Iowa’s Future, Not Its Past”).
Although Bloom attempts to make the point that Iowa is unqualified to host the first Caucus for the presidential election, our economic stability and political diversity compared to the rest of the United States prove that we are capable. Bloom states that Iowa “is a schizophrenic, economically-depressed, and culturally challenged state” but yet as written in Sherman’s article “Iowa enjoys lower unemployment, greater income growth, steadier home sales and fewer foreclosures than others. Iowa’s employment rate is seventh in the nation.” This contradicts everything that Bloom tried to accuse Iowa of being.
The way that Bloom portrays the people of Iowa is also very unnerving. According to Carrie Olson of the Daily Freeman Journal, “It seems he (Bloom) has used his time here to gather clichés.” In his article Bloom describes the people who stay in Iowa as “elderly waiting to die, those lacking in education to peer around the bend for better opportunities, an assortment of meth addicts with pale skin and rotted teeth” and so on. This is an extreme exaggeration and he doesn’t even touch the fact that Iowa is full of wonderful people. Carrie Olson states” Iowa is a place with people you can count on- a simple, and yes, quaint location. You’ve lost something? It likely will be returned to you.” In an open letter response to Bloom’s article, University of Iowa President, Sally Mason, writes “What defines Iowans are their deeds and actions, people cultivate a sense of fairness, cooperation, and humility.” The way Bloom portrays the people of Iowa is nowhere near correct, he just comes up with stereotypes that will help his case.
In the end, Bloom has no idea what he is talking about. There is way too much evidence against him which proves he just has an extremely bias opinion. The employment and economics are thriving in Iowa and the people have rallied together to help one another in many different cases. Whether it is after a flood or tornado or even a neighbor’s death, Iowans tend to come together as one to fight for their cause. This is why Iowa is a great state and why were all proud to be Iowans.
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