Haircut...

Oh man… I just got my hair cut like, super short. I got like 8 inches off! I’m freakin out a little bit about it. I neverrr get my hair cut. I am sure it’s been well over a year. Yikesss… I think I like it. I definitely need to get used to it, but it certainly looks a lot healthier. I guess I need some opinions from my friends, but of course I can’t go see anyone because I have school work school school school… Consumes my life. Dude, I even cut bangs… Like, I always had side bangs, but now I got some legit bangs. What the heck am I gonna dooo with it? Once I get used to it, I am sure I’ll feel different. I have been freakin out about this hair cut all day… Hahaha… I thought I was going to have to take some kind of anxiety medication earlier. My ridiculously long hair is like my security blanket. And now, I just chopped it off. I really hope the people at work like it. They are the ones who convinced me to do this to myself. Oh man, I feel so silly going on and on about this. I guess if you’ve ever made a huge change like this, you’d understand. Otherwise, you probably think I’m just a baby. I kinda am I guess. But, I don’t care. This is big important stuff to me. I think I just spent approximately two hours just looking in the mirror. No exaggeration. Finally, I just motivated myself to get on this homework thing. Now I gotta go read for my philosophy. I’m sure I will go spend another hour in the mirror first though… Lol. God, it's really hard to be a girl! There is so much pressure to make sure your hair/make up/ clothes look great at all times. Blahhh I guess I'll get my verdict tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Philosophy Class Provoking Thought...

This week’s topic in my philosophy class is the debate of the existence of God. It’s really had me thinking a lot. Like, I grew up in a super Christian home, but when I reached the age where I could make my own decisions I pretty much got away from that. It’s not like I’m against it or anything, I just really don’t know what I believe. I am the kind of person who needs to see it to believe it, so for me to just have ‘faith’ that something exists… Well, it isn’t easy, that’s for sure. So, we have to post our thoughts on the discussion board and read other people’s postings and respond and blah blah – all the normal online class stuff – and some of the things I have read have been very thought provoking. Like, if evolution is how we got here, and we all just evolved from amoebas or whatever we were supposed to come from back in the day, how come humans are so different from other animals? Why did we develop emotions, the capacity to distinguish right from wrong, the ability to communicate our ideas through speech, read, write, create incredible technology, etc.? Why don’t we see dogs and iguanas going to school or building computers? Supposedly, humans were created in God’s image. So, I guess comparing ourselves to the likes of a chimpanzee or a dolphin is like comparing apples and oranges. People have the power to improve and destroy the world in ways that other animals wouldn’t even come close to. It’s pretty interesting to think about… Maybe there is something more out there than meets the eye... Hmmm… I dunno, that’s pretty much my position as of right now.

Summer Plan?...

School is going to be out in like a month. I am so excited – this is going to be my first summer not taking classes in forever! No school from mid-May until September is going to be, like, unbelievable! I don’t even know what I will do with myself with so much time on my hands. I wish I wasn’t such a procrastinator and really got on the ball with trying to find a summer internship. That would be sweet. I need something to put on my resume, it’s like all I have going for me is that I can hold a full time job, and I will have a Bachelor’s degree. But, I don’t have any experience in my field at all. I was pretty discouraged to hear when I went to my advising appointment that the graduate program that I am interested in – Clinical Psychology – is one of the most competitive programs to try for. I just feel super disadvantaged because I work full time, so I don’t get the opportunity to participate in things like “psych club”, or any other extra curricular activities that regular undergraduate students get to do. Sucks. I’m screwed. See, I sit here and complain about this stuff, but do you think tomorrow I will research places that offer internships that I am interested in, update my resume, and start applying? Make some phone calls maybe? Reach out to my resources? Nooo, of course I won’t. Ok, so I am making a goal for myself: this weekend I am going to set aside time to make sure my resume is updated and in good form, design a fitting cover letter, find at least 5 places that offer internships, submit my resume, AND get the numbers so that I can call to follow up next week… Yeah, now, let’s see if this actually happens…

Monday...

As usual, I don’t really know what to write about for this ‘choose your own topic’ blog… Sooo… It’s Monday, how was the day? The chick I work with who I share a workload with called out because her son was sick, so I was stuck doing EVERYTHING at work today. Which, to a degree, I don’t mind because I am so busy that the day just fliiies by. However, it aggravates me when I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off and there are certain people who COULD be helping me, but they choose not to – because they are mad at me right now for absolutely no reason. Like, she got called out for basically lying to get me in trouble, and I stood up for myself… And that’s my bad? Negative. I should be the one mad, but I’m not. I’m over it. Time for you to get over it. Yeah, work was ok other than that frustration. I had my statistics class in the middle of the day and that actually went really well because I actually understood what was going on. Hallelujah. Clearly, that rarely happens in that class. I mean, who came up with these formulas and stuff anyways? Seriously pal, WAY too much time on your hands. I can’t wait for it to be over. After work, came home, had a nice fire alarm go off in my apartment complex – that was rather interesting. I didn’t know whether to wait outside or just wait it out in the house. Real smart right? The building could have been burning down and I am too concerned with watching reality TV. Genius. Other than that I did some super thrilling homework and now I am blogging before bed. AND, that’s my word limit sooo that’s the end of that. Good bye, Monday.

The Digital Divide

1. What is the impact on Marcella Morris and her family not having the Internet?

Because Marcella Morris does not have the internet, it is harder for her to get information on what is going on in the world. She mentions that she reads the paper and gets her information ‘word of mouth’, but this is not as convenient, fast, or updated as the internet. If Marcella was to take a class or go to school, or if her children did, they would be at a significant disadvantage as much of the work would require access to the internet. She is very much out of touch with the rest of the world. By having no access, or familiarity, with the internet, her chances at finding a decent job are also very much hindered. The majority of jobs today require employees to be able to navigate the internet easily. There are numerous websites and programs that people need to know how to get to and use in order to be successful in the position. Without having the internet, Marcella and her family’s chances of working their way out of their low-income status are very slim.

2. How do you feel about the free wireless internet access project in Charlestown, SC.

The wireless internet access project in Charlestown, SC probably sounds like it will be more successful than the reality. I am not quite sure how it will be possible for the entire city to provide internet access without any costs associated. However, even if they were successful in doing this, it would only work for people who actually have computers. There many people who do not even have computers who need to be taken into consideration. Also, for the families who do have a computer, but have never had the internet, who is going to teach them how to use it? If they do not have kids in school who take a computer class where they learn how to surf the web, how will these families learn? One question I have about this project is how well the network will work with an entire city plugged in… Will this make it slow? I don’t really know much about it, but I always hear people at my work saying that the internet is slower when everyone is on the server… Would this problem occur with this project also? I think that the idea of the project is great – the internet really is a necessity in this day to stay current with the times. However, I just feel like the whole thing sounds too good to be true.

3. Who has benefitted from it?

Obviously, those who do not own computers won’t be benefitted as much by this project as those who do. Also, those who do not know how to use the internet will not be as benefitted as those who do. The reading mentions that the people who have been able to connect to the network so far are mainly those who were able to afford it in the first place. This is probably because they are the ones who did already have computers and know how to use the internet. I am sure that this isn’t the case with everyone. There are probably also many families who did have a computer with no internet who are now able to connect, but it sounds as though the results have not been as successful as the designers of the project anticipated.

4. What would you suggest that they do with the project?

I do think that they should continue a way to get the city online. However, they need to also spend some time and energy to figure out a way to get the people with no computers and no internet skills up to speed. Perhaps a program could be developed where computers are donated. Also, time may be donated to teach adults – who are disadvantaged because they are not in school – to learn how to navigate the internet. I also think that a campaign needs to be developed to teach those who have no interest in the internet just how important it is for them now and for their futures. They need to see that acquiring computer skills is a potential way out of their unfortunate circumstances. They can go to school and eventually get decent jobs.

Education Video Links

These links will take you to some videos of science experiments...

Follow this one to see some simple experiments for kids...


Click here to see an experiment demonstrating the importance of science...


Check this link out to see a science experiment that your pet will appreciate...

Embedded Education Video

So, Calculus is a pain to learn... Watch this video to help ya get a better understanding in 20 minutes!