The Tudors

My mom is literally obsessed with this new show on HBO. It is a show about King Henry VIII and Anne Bolen. It is supposed to be a spiced up documentary about his life and the history of the Catholic Church. 

The sad part about this show is that to get people to learn about history, they need to make a show that is full of sex and violence and attractive characters. Let's face it, King Henry VIII never look like that guy in the picture and no one back in the day was having nearly as much sex as they are on the show. Although this show is based on real events that have happened in history, it is terribly sad that for people to learn such important history they have to watch a show on HBO. Now don't get me wrong, I love my mommy, BUT she calls me all excited  to tell me how interesting the show is and how amazing the whole history of the Catholic Church splitting up is because she has just learned it from some sex driven tv show. My dad feels exactly the same way. Although my dad knows a lot more about history than I do, we can agree that history should be learned in school out of a text book, BEFORE it is watched and revamped for pleasure on TV!

Hell's Kitchen Motivation

So I was watching Hell's Kitchen the other day and it was my first time watching it. I was literally appalled and felt soo bad for the contestants. The head chef, Chef Ramsey yells the worst, most hurtful things I have ever heard someone say to someone. The horrible thing is that he yells at them so harshly for some of the smallest mistakes. Watching this show and seeing how Chef Ramsey motivates his contestants I started thinking about if this type of negative motivation works. I agree that harsh, punishment-filled motivation is a successful way to motivate, but why is it that positive motivation doesn't have the same effect. How sad is that? We need someone screaming profanity in our face to get us to do something properly, but by asking nicely we might just blow it off. Personally, I think I work best with people who are harsh on me, but at the same time offer positive support. I need someone who will push me to my limits, but will know when to back off at the same time right before I may break down. Lets just say I won't be on Hell's Kitchen anytime soon!

41 Hours of Torture

 This video just amazes me and kind of scares me at the same time. A man was literally trapped in an elevator for 2 days, 2 days of living hell that is. Last year I lived in Boaz Hall, a very run down dorm, and the elevators were infamous for breaking down with people in them. A girl on the 4th floor got stuck by herself once for only one hour, but that was enought to make me never want to ride the elevator alone. My friends and I always tried to take the stairs, but in other places my lazy butt always takes the elevator. Fortunatley for me I have never gotten stuck, but this video just makes me realize how easy it is to get hurt, or be endanger every day doing the most commong things. We get scared to jump out of a plane with a parachute attatched to our back, but don't think twice about getting into an elevator. Just like this guy probably didn't think that getting into the elevator could be potentially deadly! Ah we literally are never safe! watch out 

Sour Babies

There is nothing that can put a smile on your face like this video can. Although a little cruel, this video is sure to brighten your day. There is nothing cuter than babies and it made me think of some of the things that can cheer me up when I need it the most. 

There is nothing like taking a long, peaceful nap after a hard test and a late night of studying. There is nothing better than going home for the holidays when all you need is a break from school. There is nothing more comforting than knowing you have a best friend who wants to listen to all your drama. There is nothing more inspiring then knowing you have 2 parents who push you to do your best, but who will also be there when you fall and there is nothing better than being content with you are!

Canine Companions for Autistic Kids

 I stumbled upon this video online and when I found it I literally sat and watched the entire thing. I found it fascinating that a dog can help treat some of the symptoms of an autistic child and can actually calm them down and help them function more normally. I am sure we are all used to seeing dogs being used as seeing eye dogs, but this idea of having a canine companion for an autistic kid is amazing. I think it is fascinating that essentially a wild animal can be trained and taught to work so wonderfully with these children. After hearing what some of the parents have said, it seems that these dogs have truly worked wonders for the autistic kids as well as for their family. It breaks my heart to see how happy these kids look with their dog and how well the dog actually cooperates with the child. I know how much I love my dog at home, but imagine the connection this family feels with their pet! 

What Does This Say About Us?

This Nonfiction best seller list from the New York Times is very revealing of American culture. Look for yourself! The list starts with a book about depression and becomes for morbid with a book about drug use. It also touches on our culture's insecurities and diet obsession with a health book and ends with a hard cover book about pop culture and an actress's biography. I feel like this list actually highlights the top 4 things our culture is centered around. Let's face it, almost everyone i know is depressed about something (ding ding that hits nonfiction hardcover number 1). Our world has become smothered with drug addicts who have probably become drug addicts because they were depressed (once again book #1). There are even popular reality TV shows now that depict drug addicts and their depression (Celebrity Rehab and Intervention are 2 great examples). Also, our culture is so sickly obsessed with pop culture and celebrities it is almost sickening. The amount of tabloid magazines, tabloid websites, and TV shows about celebrities is overwhelming, so it is no surprise to me that an actress's biography made the top 4 list. And lastly, who can get passed our health/diet conscious society. Every thing at the grocery store is organic or low fat or low calorie. The popularity of shows like the Biggest Loser and Celebrity Fitness draw attention our cultures interest in being thin and fit. In addition, there are diet magazines, diet commercials, and diet food every where you turn. \

This list basically highlights the top 5 American culture obsessions:

1) Depression (emotional issues)

2)Drug addictions

3)Celebrities (pop culture)

4)Dieting (health conscious)

Wisdom Teeth

OKAY! listen up!. This spring break while everyone else was out at the beach living it up, I was at home getting my wisdom teeth taken out! How's that for an awesome spring break!!?!?! I pretty much looked like this girl or maybe even guy in the picture for an entire week. Whoa hold back that jealousy!

So the morning I went in for my surgery I was under the impression that I was only getting ONE of the four wisdom teeth removed (I am a little dental phobic), but to my surprise I woke up in a daze with ALL FOUR teeth missing! I paniced! Although, I am so happy that I got it all over with at once, I didn't understand how all of a sudden the dental plans got changed! So apparently, even though I'm 19 years old, my mother took the liberty upon herself to allow the dentist to take out all 4 of my teeth without my permission. I was mad at first, but the I started to wonder how that was allowed. Since when does my mom still run control over me? I don't even live at home anymore, but I come home fora dental operation and she all of a sudden is taking back the reins. I don't think so!! Anyways, in the long run I was happy to have gotten them all out in one procedure, but still a little weary about what other tricks my mom has up her sleeve!