There is so much to enjoy this time of year. Whether it's the arrival of Christmas decorations, the first snow or the upcoming New Year, holiday cheer seems to be spreading throughout Lawrence.
Although, like my peers, the holiday season warms my heart, I am looking forward to a little bit different of an event: the Miss Kansas USA pageant.
This might seem a bit odd or materialistic to some, but to me pageant season is one the most anticipated events of the year. Its more than dresses, make-up and smiles, its about having the opportunity to change your life.
Four years ago before pageantry became part of my life, I was shy, timid and insecure. I wasn't comfortable in my own skin. But thanks to pageants, I am now a confident, young adult who isn't afraid to speak up. Pageants, believe it or not, have taught me to believe in myself. I don't have to let other people tell me who I am, I can decide for myself.
Pageants honor women and their accomplishments as self-efficient, well-rounded individuals. By motivating me to do my best and allowing me to interact with other successful women, pageants inspire me to be a better person.
This may sound a little "cliché" or fake to some, but the feeling you have after leaving the stage knowing you did your best and your happy with it instills a certain level of self-confidence in you.
In my closing thoughts, I only ask one thing of you. Don't believe the negative stereotypes associated with pageants in most poplar media. That's only one side of the story.
Besides the lack of good news today, there was also failure on the technological side of things. In other words, Video Transfer and I don't get along. After searching for it, I discovered it in the trash can only to find that the computer could not restore it. I find it very frustrating that I am not able to add the extra web components to a story that somebody worked very hard on and probably dedicated a lot of time to. I don't think I am the only one feeling bummed about the news cast today, from what I heard things didn't run so smoothly down the hall during production. At least I can be thankful that the news cast was taped early today meaning I can finish my duties early too!
It's that time of year once again when you can count on having empty pockets. No the economy is to blame for your lack of cash flow this time; it's the holiday season that seems to come earlier and earlier every year. Not that I don't enjoy the spirit of the holiday's, but whatever happened to Thanksgiving?
It seems Americans have decided to skip the whole idea of being thankful this year and go straight from Halloween to Christmas. The second Halloween was over, it seemed as if Christmas was taking over the world. Like that K-Mart Commercial where they finish carving pumpkins and then the mom leaves to go Christmas shopping. K-Mart says the whole idea is to save money by starting early, but I think it has more to do with making profits.
Sure the economy is down, and people may not be spending as much money, but that doesn't mean Santa Clause is going to get stuck in the chimney and let the youth of America down. American's can't physically abstain from malls especially with the approach of the holiday seasons. Any business stocked with Mattel dolls and game systems is going to make bank of the season regardless.
So forget your naughty or nice list for the time being and start stuffing your turkey. Take a look at the front page of your newspaper, maybe we need to take some time this Thanksgiving to be a little more reflexive. What are we truly grateful for? That Obama was elected president? That change is about to come? That your brother made it home alive from Iraq? Or maybe you just actually got eight hours of sleep last night? I think we all can find something to be thankful for this year and maybe we shouldn't take advantage of this great holiday that gives us an excuse to eat till we are sick.
The one story I was able to work on was about Veterans day. To my disappoitment though, the fact that today was Veterans day seemed to slip the mind of the University population. With little celebration on campus, there wasn't much of a story.
I plan on spending the remainder of my time working on my final project. I've started to come up with a few ideas I'm rather excited about!
As the once warm, sunny skies have disappeared so has the Jayhawk spirit. My once eager, ambitious, fun-loving classmates seem to have been overtaken by depression. The harsh winds aren't the only thing you should be watching out for; beware of the sudden mood swing spreading through campus. Crappy attitudes don't fix anything; they just make everybody else more miserable. Fortunately, I don't think a majority of students at KU are victims of Seasonal Affective Disorder; therefore, there is still some hope.
Nobody enjoys the cold weather, but maybe we should be more appreciative of the fall season. The beautiful fall leaves create wonderful scenery in the walk across campus. More importantly, basketball season has arrived in full force. If the thought of basketball season alone doesn't brighten your day, there is a major issue at hand. My personal suggestion for fighting this seasonal depression is get out of your house and off campus at that. Whether your prefer hitting the gym or the nightlife, do something active and quit slumping around.
Wait until flu season hits, then you will have a real reason to be sad and angry at the world, but until then be nice to your fellow classmates. In conclusion, I ask my fellow students to disregard the crappy weather outside and appreciate the more important things in life such as being a Jayhawk!
The failing economy and the media surrounding it seems to have everyone in a panic, even students. Sure students don't have to worry about stocks or their 401K, so what's the panic all about?
Every college has the same response: I'm broke. But is that really anything new? College students are always broke. Its just not the rest of the nation is broke with them so they think that gives them an excuse to complain about it.
But what exactly have college students cut down on then in this time of economic crisis? Partying? Drinking? No, I'm pretty sure a majority of students still tend to go out more nights than not. When I think about what the majority of my friends spend money on its going out, food and shopping. So have students really been hurt by the failing economy or is it just really cramping their social lifestyle?
I'm sure there are a few students who are affected or will be in the future whether it's through the process of job hunting or applying for student loans. However, I think at this point and time its safe to say college students aren't suffering quite as much as they think they are. Although going out one less night a week or downgrading their choice of alcohol might seem disastrous, I think they will survive.
I found it sad to report people in Lawrence can't afford to keep their pets because of the failing economy. I find some statics regarding the cost of a pet online. It cost an average of $700 a year just to take care of a cat or dog. Thats a lot of money for such small animals, but I find it hard to believe people are so wiling to give up their pets.
Other stories I worked on were the economic struggle facing the Kansas Public Radio. They are holding their annual fund drive. Although they are experiencing lots of success with it they are being affected by state and University budget cuts.
Two other story I worked on encouraged students to get flu shots. I was able to add information to this story including when you are most likely to get the flu and the best time to get the vaccine.
There wasn't much to do as far as creative today, but it was difficult finding enough information to have an adequate print story for the Web.
A new trend is gaining popularity among KU students. No, its not another fashion trend trying to survive in the Midwest; it's more of a technological trend that's creating a buzz.
University students have managed to exceed our expectations once again with their overwhelming participation in a new blog, that seems to lack any form of intellectual relevance.
Web sites such as the infamous Juicy Campus allow students the opportunity to publicize their opinions of others. KU Students managed to pump out more than 40 post in just one day trashing talking on others.
There are a few cases where people have tried to discuss more timely and topically topics such as the election and yelling of vulgar chants at football games. However, these topics seem to be the ones with the least amount of views and replies. Instead, they would rather discuss the sexual activity of their peers and use slander to criticize each other.
In my opinion, it's probably a small number of students who have and are willing to spend time participating in such junior high level gossip. I think its safe to say talking bad about others tends to make us feel better about ourselves, that is if we are shallow individuals who have nothing else better to do.
It always seems to be the same people who engage in such activities. Its easy to question whether these newly profound bloggers are the same people you hear whispering weekend gossip during class. Not to my suprise, it's actually being researched now.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced its plan to research the correlation between cyber-behaviors and real-life personalities this week. I think it should make an interesting study. More than likely, I think we will find out the people participating in these blogs are the same ones who spend hours 'creeping' on Facebook and gossiping.
