Progress Journal #6

Time: 30 minutes

On Monday, we made sure the presentation was just right. On Tuesday, we presented our website and t-shirts to the class. I think we did a good job, and I know how hard we worked on it. I think it definitely showed, because we had many pages and there was a lot of dynamic to our website. I feel like we presented information that the group thought was interesting, and it was information that needs to be known throughout the world. I think our passion also showed through the presentation. We all believed in what we were talking about, and we started to feel like it was a website that really was out there for people to donate and use.

Progress Journal #5

Hours: 2 1/2

Ashley and I started the shirts last night, and finished the back of them today. We worked on them yesterday for about two hours, as well. They look really neat. We took pictures of the three of us in the shirts and put them on the website so that we can "sell" them. They will be for sale at our concerts also! I think this project has been really interesting. We've put a lot of time into it and I hope it shows!

Progress Journal #4

So, this is for the Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

Hours: 2 hours

We met briefly, but I mostly worked on the posters by myself in my room for the concert series we're putting on the website and taking the posters to show during our project tomorrow. I think it should add to the project definitely, and they're all my own designs.

Progress Journal #3

Total Time working on this project today: about 3 hours including research

Today we decided exactly how we wanted the website to look and what exactly we wanted to put on it. We looked at some videos together, and we figured out how to put youtube videos on our site. We also have a rough draft of a mission statement. On my own time, I read more about the cause and took some time to look at a lot of different statistics. We also decided to add a blog to our website, and I found a site that Paul McCartney founded and wrote about it on there. It is coming along well, but we still have a lot of work to be done. We still need to figure out just exactly how we are going to make the t-shirts. It will all pull together, though, I'm not worried about it at all. I've done a lot of reading, and I started on the "Did you know?" section of the website.

** Go to this site if you want to learn more about "Meat Free Mondays">>> http://www.supportmfm.org/index.php

Progress Journal #2

Met for: 90 minutes

Today we talked about our formal proposal. We decided our target audience, and decided exactly what our project will entail. We also decided who would be in charge of what, though mostly we will be doing things as a group. We've began to meet twice a week out of class, but decided if we need more than this then we can. We focused on t-shirt designs more, but we still have a little bit more to figure out about them. I've also looked at some videos, and as soon as I figure out how to post it, I'll put it on this post.

Meeting #2

Today we met for an hour, and I feel we made some needed progress. First, we decided on our name. Also, we began to design our shirts. Then we began to make our website. Things are definitely starting to get on a roll, and I think this project will actually be more fun than a paper would be. It might be more work, but I'm ready for a challenge.

Wednesday

On Wednesday night I went to Indianapolis to see this indie band from Cincinatti, OH play. It was at this place called Earth House, which used to be a church. It's now reformed into a coffee shop on the main level, and upstairs is where the stage and show was held. They took out all the pews and the windows have large velvet drapes over the stain glass windows. The lighting was really subtle, and the acoustics just had a good solid sound. I hadn't ever really heard the bands much before I went, but a friend of mine was going and I hadn't been to a show in a long time. It was definitely a good time, and the building was probably my favorite part.

Progress Journal #1

Group Name: Still thinking

Group Members: Ashley Mooney & Ken Armor

Project: Limiting Meat Consumption

Purpose: To aware teens and adults of the environmental affects of meat consumption.

Audience: Teens, Young Adults, and Adults

Media Ideas: Website, video on website, survey/ quiz with statistics

11/12/09

Today, we decided we definitely want to do a website with all three components of our presentation. We've decided to add a video to the site for audio. I think our topic is interesting and dynamic because its about meat consumption, but it's about global warming, also. We also decided to meet on Monday, so more will get done then. We have a really good surprise idea, and I'm really hoping that things go as planned.

Christmas Break!

I know it's kind of far away, but I'm so excited for Christmas break this year! I love that we're done with classes right before that. It will be nice not to worry about anything, because I won't know what my new classes will entail and my old classes will be old news. I'm also excited, because I'll be spending ten days of it in Georgia with my friends and family there. I can't wait! The last time I got to see them was the first week of August, but it feels like it's been forever since I have. I miss them sooo much! It should be a good time. I'll be down there for New Year's and for my birthday. I love that change of not being in my hometown for my birthday, also. It's also funny not to be in school for my birthday, because I usually am.

Howard Dean

Yesterday, Howard Dean gave a lecture at Emens. He was the governor for Vermont for the second most terms. He came to Emens to get young people to become involved in politics. I thought it was interesting how he focused on our generation's difference between his interest. He talked about how the Baby Boomers were all about confrontation and conflict, even if it meant not getting anything done, where as we may stick up for what we want, but we're willing to listen to all sides, and not just fight to fight. This is interesting, because he seems to predict that different issues won't be issues once we are the senators and congressman. One example of this is gay marriage- he said that even though this is an issue as of now, it won't be a big deal once our generation enters the White House. The closing of his speech talked about how just being involved in the community, working the polls, staying tuned into what is going on is being involved in politics. He also said that he doesn't think that our generation needs that much of a push now, but he wanted to remind us that democracy is an ever changing, living thing, and that if we don't nurture it and take it for granted that it could disappear.

Fall

I'm really glad that it went from being absolutely freezing with no winter to the best weather ever. I was wondering why I loved fall so much at the beginning of this season. I couldn't believe that a winter coat was necessary to go outside. This is much better. I just hope that it sticks around for this weekend. I love all of the beautiful trees and all the leaves on the ground. It smells so amazing, too. I can't wait for this weekend. I'm excited for the football game on Saturday and then going out that night. I just hope I get through tomorrow without keeling over.

All-nighter

So, it is 3:44 in the morning, and yes I'm still up working on homework. I decided I needed to take a break from studying to blog, because I know I'll probably forget to do it if I wait until tomorrow. I really don't know why I waited until the last minute to start this study guide when I knew I had other things that are due tomorrow. Silly me. I guess I'll just have to learn the hard way. It's not really that big of a deal, though. What is one night minus sleep? I guess I'll find out tomorrow, haha.

Global Warming causing fires?

Australian author, Andrew Bolt, from The Advertiser says they are crying ‘global warming’ to cover up their mistake of not warning people of the fires that could have, and did, come. In his article, “We Should Have Prepared for These Bushfires…shouting ‘global warming’ is just a ruse’, Bolt argues against this fight on global warming with the fires as evidence. Bolt doesn’t believe that global warming can be used as an argument right now, because it isn’t matching up or doing what it was supposed to be doing. Also, their facts were not correct, and all you need is an almanac to prove that wrong. He wants Bob Brown, who is a green advocate and a senator, to stop blaming these fires and deaths on global warming. Instead of preparing with fire safe houses, and taking care of the families and victims of these fires, they are taking advantage of the situation and asking for money. Trying to help out our environment may not be terrible, but Bolt doesn’t believe that this should be our main concern at this time.

Ecuador

Ecuador relies on oil as a source of income, but as we have all heard before, we are slowly destroying our planet by extracting this oil. The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, has set up a unique proposal to European countries, including Great Britain as of this week. He wants someone to pay Ecuador $3 billion to not drill in the Yasani National Park, located in the Amazon. Correa says that would be half of what he would make by drilling, but that it would save our planet by decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide caused by drilling. According to Ecuador 410 million metric tons of carbon dioxide would be polluting our earth if we did not pay them off. Not only that, but there are Amazon Indian tribes still living in the forests, and they would be polluting them. It doesn’t stop them from drilling other parts of the Amazon, but it would save the national park from being destroyed.

Engler, Mark, and Nadia Martinez "PAY'EM NOT TO DRILL." Mother Jones 33.3 (2008): 40. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 Oct. 2009.

Weekend

So, this weekend I feel like I have a lot of loose ends to tie up. I need to go get contacts. I really need to put all of my clothes away. Does anyone else feel like laundry takes up soooo much time? I feel like it tires me out, then by the time it's done I don't feel like putting it all away. I also need to really study for my midterm I'm taking on Monday. Maybe posting this on here will remind me to do all of this. Hopeeffulllyyyyyy....

FARC

Not only in Africa are there guerilla groups starting a rebellious war against the government. In Colombia, South America and the surrounding countries of Latin America have also been dealing with this issue for the passed decade or so. Here, it is called the FARC, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The main reason they want power is for drug trafficking. In 2008, the Colombian government discovered information on the FARC that links their money source back to Venezuela's president. The Colombian government has now cut off from Venezuala, and that is how the argument between the countries began. FARC still is a problem that Colombia is dealing with, though.

Colombia's justifiable raid

Source:

USA Today; 03/07/2008

ISSN:

07347456

Accession Number:

J0E266945242108

Persistent link to this record (Permalink):

Database:

Academic Search Premier

Weighing out the pros and cons of a size 0

So, in Yahoo! News, it shows Jim Carrey gaining 50 pounds to play Curly in the "Three Stooges" movie. In my opinion, I think that the showing of gain weight and loss in the media has become so out of hand. I don't think it is good to portray how easy it is to change your self image. I'm a fashion merchandising major, and we talk about body types a lot. You are born with a body type, and you aren't supposed to be able to change it. People don't realize that the Ectomorph and Endomorphic body types are completely different, and that you don't choose if you are muscley or if you are rail thin. It's crazy to hear statistics about 8 year old girls wondering about their body image. I bet you didn't know that 50% of 10 year old girls are on diets. The saddest part about this is that sometimes it's not the children, it's the parents! I remember when I was younger that my sister was always a little on the chubbier side, and she did love to eat. They were always worried about cutting her back on food or putting her on a diet. As she grew up, though she grew taller and she still has a muscle build, but she's gorgeous and she isn't rail thin. I just wish that sometimes people would look passed the whole body image thing, and I wish that stars would help people to realize that not only is it a hard task to gain and lose all of that weight, but to promote that it's NOT HEALTHY!!

Homecoming Week

For some reason, I feel like I had so much to do last week! On top of feeling that way, I unfortunately was sick. For all of you who haven't had the joy of sitting in the health center for an hour waiting on just a nurse to come weigh you and take your blood pressure, I will tell you right now it is not fun. So on top of being stressed about all of the work I already knew I had to do, I was now missing classes on top of that. Not a fun feeling, but I feel better now, and all of the work is turned in. Of course, now there is this week's homework to fret over.

Hair

So, I wanted to wait and blog last night, because I went to see "Hair" last night and wanted to talk about my thoughts on the performance. Then I got caught up in the performance that I forgot to blog last night. My grandma lives in Muncie, and she loves that I live here now and always wants to hang out. So, she bought a season pass to the theatre this year, and then surprised me with season tickets so that I will go with her. I love the theatre so I didn't mind at all. After we were in our seats, this older man with a nice button down and salt and pepper hair sat next to us. After a little while he said, "I just feel like informing you that my son is the one with the longer dark hair. I kind of think he looks like Rancid. God, I can't wait for him to be able to look like himself again and cut off all of that hair." The play was very liberal, and just an all around good play. The end of Act 1 is a little shocking, but I'm not going to go into any details. It just added to the in your face kind of play it was. It wanted to truly portray the decade. I really felt like I was there at times, but sometimes that was the only problem I had with it. I felt like I was intruding, and some parts I felt uncomfortable. I think the playwright is

written to do this on purpose. I would definitely recommend going to see it.

I'm Always Watching The Door

So, this is what I left you to become. You wouldn't be happy about it, or even remotely understand. I like what I learned from you, but I wish you could be here to see me now. I know that isn't even close to a realistic thought. I blocked out all of the good music, memories, and knowledgeI took from you for a while. Mostly because the thought of you put a pit in my stomach, but I can't anymore. Listening to it now makes me think of how I felt then without the missing you, but before tonight it just made me yearn to find a way back into your thoughts or heart. I hate this sour note that I feel like we've been stuck on for a couple months now, but I feel like it might ring this way forever. I'm dealing with it rather well, I think anyways. You should be proud of me, but instead you were jealous and insecure. I'm over it & obviously you were done from the beginning.

Home

Home has been such a confusing topic for me since the beginning of summer. I lived in Atlanta with some friends of the family this summer, because I thought it would be an interesting experience. Along with that, I felt like I was always having to talk about how I was "moving away and leaving everyone", and after about two weeks of that I was already tired of hearing about it. I love my family and friends back home, but I just needed to get away sooner than just when school started. I was home for about a week and a half before moving here, and I couldn't have been more ready to move after such a short period of time. It makes me feel like moving down there was a good decision. It makes me really miss my friends from home even more though, since I haven't really spent time relaxing with them this summer. Today I was flipping through pictures on my computer, and some old ones from last summer came up, and it made me super homesick. I just wish they were here getting the same experience that I get to have.

Ishmael Beah

While reading A Long Way Gone it was really hard for me to relate to. It was also hard for me to grasp that his story was real, and that it happens to so many in Africa. After watching the video in class that was showing other people affected by this civil war, it was a little easier for me. Seeing him on Tuesday really hit the topic home for me, though. It's amazing to me that someone can be so optimistic after going through something that tragic. Going into it, I kind of expected an upbeat person who was passionate about his cause, but he was even more than I imagined. He was captivating and humorous, and I didn't really expect that either. I enjoyed hearing him talk about how he wouldn't change his experience, because it gave him strength and he can now help others through his strength. He said that we all have that type of strength inside us. While reading the book, I always placed myself in his shoes and thought about how I would react to the situation. I really didn't feel like I could have done even 1/3 of the things that he did. Even though we feel like he didn't have a choice, he could have given up, and I think that I would have taken the more cowardly route. He was so full of hope, and just listening to him talk made me a little more hopeful, also.

Room mate

This summer before I came to Ball State, I went on the room mate search to find a room mate for this year. It seemed like a good idea, because then I didn't get stuck with some random person, but at the same time, I had never met them or didn't grow up with them. The idea of rooming with someone from my home town still gives me goose bumps. So, I started talking to this one girl with the same major as me, and we decided that it'd be a good match. A week before it was time to move in, I got a call from the housing department and they told me that she had withdrew at the last minute and that I was now rooming with someone else, but that she was in the air force and wouldn't be arriving until the first week of September. At first I was really nervous and frustrated, because I didn't want to be roomed with some strict girl from the armed forces, but now that Haley is here I'm not upset about it at all. It was probably better that it worked out this way anyways. We're not super close, actually we hardly talk unless we're in the same room together, but I kind of like that. I don't have someone tagging along all the time. Sometimes I feel bad though, because she doesn't really know anyone here, and she hasn't been home since March. She seems very independent, though, and she likes to go home to Carmel on the weekends. I guess I have really mixed feelings about the whole set up, but I'm making the best out of it, and really I could get along with anyone if they were willing to get along with me.

Home away from home

Last weekend I went home for the break. I left right after my Communications class that ends at four, and I had to ride in the car with my dad for 3 1/2 hours! Since he never stops talking, harping, and telling me what I need to be doing for the entire time I'm at school. Sometimes I just want to tell him that the more he repeats things the more I ignore him and his suggestions. I do appreciate him, though, and he's been so much help filling out school stuff from the beginning. He really loves that I go here, because he went here. He always tells me how awesome it is now compared to when he went here, and he grew up in Muncie, so he missed out on living in the dorms. I enjoyed seeing all of my friends, but I was in Georgia for the majority of my summer, so I'm really used to not seeing them that much. I always have fun with them, but I think sometimes we have too much fun for our own good. I always had my priorities right, and I encourage the same for them, but sometimes they don't realize how now will affect their future. I ended up coming back here a day earlier than planned. I did this mostly because the entire weekend I was worrying about getting my homework done for here, and I couldn't concentrate at home. Sunday night was weird here, because so many people went home for the entire weekend. Going home made me realize how much I don't miss high school, and how much more school means to me now compared to last year.

Free write

So, this is my free write. I keep thinking of lots different topics to use, but they're all I'm too closely attached to and have all been pretty over analyzed. I just thought of this one. I think it will be the right fit. So, I think this is going to be my opening paragraph or around what it will look like.

It was Christmas time in New Buffalo, Michigan. The same town where more than half of the population actually resides in Chicago, but they all drive to the lake for weekends at a time during summer or on warmer holiday weekends. It's noon on a Saturday, and I've only waited on one table after being there for more than two hours. Talk about a slow day. Then a clump of six people walk in all smiling and bundled up in their North Face jackets and other expensive looking winter wear. Even though they were happy, I wasn't as thrilled. It wasn't because I'm lazy or didn't want to talk to anyone. It was because I knew how pissed Glenn would be once he saw the six people. You think the genius and creator behind all of the home made soups and the best tomato basil bread would be happy or think, 'Oh great! They love my food and continue to make me money!' Instead, Glenn would react in the same manner as if an entire school bus of screaming children just took over the dining room and were all screaming for different items. I wasn't thrilled, because I had seen him throw a fit over things even less complicated than a table of six adults. All I could ask myself every time my boss had a little panic attack over the simple things in life was 'Why the hell I still work here?' Which sometimes would lead to another question. 'How the hell did I get here?"

My week so far

I know this week has only consisted of two days so far, but it already has been busy. One thing about college is that you usually know what is going on for the rest of the week, and sometimes that is more stressful than just knowing you have a lot of homework for one night. On the other hand, it's easier to know that if you have a lot of time one day and not a lot on another day then you can get ahead. I'm really nervous to write the paper for this class! It'll be my first one since I've been here, and it's hard for me to think of a time to write that wasn't a huge significance. I feel like all my classes require so much reading, and then we take notes for like 15 minutes on what I just read for like ten hours! Frustrating.

Miss California

Miss California just posed partially nude for some pictures. I don't think posing nude is that big of a deal, but I don't understand why you would become crowned and then decide all of a sudden you want to do that. In my opinion, it makes you look bad. If you are doing drugs, have a sex tape, posing nude, or doing anything else that could make you look like a bad role model then why run for such a position? You'll always get caught doing it, and you are more than likely going to embarrass yourself and your family.

Favorite Movies & T.V. shows

This is a list of my top ten favorite movies. I tend to change my mind and forget certain movies that I absolutely adore. So I guess this is my top ten movies of right this minute.

1.) American Beauty

2.) Almost Famous

3.) Garden State

4.) The Royal Tenenbaums

5.) Happy Gilmore

6.) The Hangover

7.) Virgin Suicides

8.) Bottle Rocket

9.) Marie Antoinette

10.) Stranger Than Fiction

Top 5 t.v. shows

1.) Dexter

2.) Planet Earth

3.) Weeds

4.) Seinfeld

5.) Project Runway