Paparazzi

Imagine you are someone like Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, or even that guy from the Black Eyed Peas whose name you can’t remember (because Fergie and Will.i.am. always seem take the spotlight). You're going out for a jog and you hear something that sounds familiar, but you can’t quite place what it is exactly. You look around and nothing's there. You continue to jog and suddenly you are surrounded by a group, no, mob of people with flashing cameras taking pictures of you in your jogging outfit…

The element of surprise strikes your features; and it also makes a great shot for a tabloid. Yes, it’s paparazzi. Now, some of you may feel that you would do anything to be famous and get your picture taken for the world to see. But even though this fantasy is a little farfetched, would you really want people following you around everywhere? I would say no, but you may say otherwise. Before you try to make your desires come to life, just take a look at these photos…

Justin Bieber

 Russell Brand

Shakira

 Lindsay Lohan

Jennifer Garner

Funny right?

"Like" The Language of Today?

So, like, that one day when my boyfriend, like, told me that I was his, like, soul mate? I like, totally fell in love…

Hmm… I’m going to have to stop you right there. Is the word “like” really a word that enhances the meaning in a sentence? Or is it used to make a person seem more intelligent than they really are? Here’s a thought: why do some people, when they are having a conversation, end their sentences by raising their voice like it’s a question? I have to ask myself this when I do it in some of my conversations.

People could call this the new generation of teen language. It is a whole different type of communication that goes on in schools, work, and among friends. Sure there are those who try to deny that they have ever said the word “like” at least three or four times in one sentence, but let’s be serious. I don’t think I have come across one teenager who has not done exactly this. And I will admit that I tend to do this too. But why? Why do we feel the need to say “like” after every other word?

Many people will wonder this and I can say that over time, this is how our language has evolved among the teenage population. No matter how unintelligent, irritating, or different it has become from the generations of our parents and grandparents, we should not be embarrassed, (well, at least not wholeheartedly; it does come off as annoying). I guess you could say it is a part of who we are as adolescents. Embrace it for the time being because it could be just a phase that we will be able to grow out of sooner or later.

So, like, can we all agree to this, like, teen language? 

The Bystander Effect

We’ve all been there. You see that kid at your school getting picked on again by one, or a group of people; the kid is overpowered and can’t fight back. But guess what? Instead of intervening, you choose to look the other way. I don’t want to get involved or someone else will do it. Admit it to yourself, you, and everyone else out there has done this at least once in their lives; I am guilty of this to.

The bystander effect is becoming a major issue and people are not taking responsibility. Now, I am not saying to put yourself in the way of danger if someone is being mugged for example, but take the initiative to call the police or get some help. Do not just walk the other way and think to yourself: it’s not my problem, because that person may not get another chance at living their own life. Diffusion of responsibility is the term which defines a person who does not take action to stop an act that goes against moral standards.

One person in particular that never got her second chance at living her life due to the diffusion of responsibility, was Kitty Genovese. On March 16^th, 1964, Kitty was attacked and stabbed twice before someone from a nearby apartment shouted at the attacker to leave her alone. The startled man left Kitty lying in the street, bleeding, but no one took action to call the police or to intervene. As Kitty slowly made her way up to her apartment, the attacker stabbed her again as she was crawling to find help, and he killed her; she never found help. Police discovered a total of 37 people who either heard Kitty's screams and/or witnessed the attack that night.

Why? Why didn’t anyone, not even one out of the 37 people call the police? The bystander effect cost Kitty Genovese her life, so next time you see that kid being bullied in the halls of your school, or whatever the case may be, think back to the effect it had on Kitty and make a change; I know I will. 

Snow Days

Ever wonder why Snow Days always fall on the days when you actually don’t have a math test to write, or when a huge last minute assignment isn’t due? Well, Snow Days never really come when you need them but I can tell you that in the end, all it comes down to is that it’s a time where you don’t have to wake up early to go to school and you can feel stress-free for one whole day …until you have to present that group project to the class the following day.

Do something fun to celebrate not going to school like snowboarding, skiing, or snow tubing! And remember, always enjoy your Snow Days because you never know when you'll get another one ... 

A Happy Ending?

Once upon a time in an enchanted land, there was a beautiful princess who lived in the most extravagant palace. She sat by the window in her room every morning, looking out at the sky and dreamt of living somewhere different from her kingdom. She wished for her prince charming to take her away…

Sound familiar? You take the starting words “once upon a time” and introduce a character who desires more than her simple life, and to have someone who loves her take her to happiness. There you have it; a typical fairytale. Well, even though we do not live in a world of fairytales, we all want something more from our own lives like the princess, even if we don’t admit it to ourselves or other people. We dream of exploring new places different from what we see everyday and are not fully satisfied until something exciting happens to us that will ultimately change our lives.

…But her dreams were kept locked away until she could escape the deadly grasp of the evil that was lurking behind her throughout the palace. Every time she tried to leave, it took a hold of her, forcing the princess to stay within the walls of which she was born…

For many people, their dreams are shattered because of the plans that are set out for them back home. In other cases, a person cannot put their dreams into place because of the fear that takes over when change happens. So take a step forward and embrace your desires to make a happy life for yourself and see past what other people want for you.

…One day, a valiant prince rode his loyal steed to the enchanted kingdom, in hopes to marry the beautiful princess. He travelled through hurricanes, treacherous paths and fought horrific monsters. When he finally arrived, he was the one to sweep the princess off her feet and get her outside the palace walls. The princess had found her joy, kissed the prince, and they lived happily ever after.

So we all know that happiness is not always a kiss away. You have to work for it and create a path for yourself. No matter how much we dream of someone taking us to our happiness, we need to realize that it may not always be the case and that we are our own chance of being happy. Continue dreaming, but understand the reality of your life and make your own happily ever after.

The True Message of Disney

So, I watched one of my many Disney movies the other day and found something interesting. Many of the movies teach us a valuable lesson, they show how to be true to yourself, and they let you experience different cultures and how they used to be many years ago. Now, before you think “my goodness she’s having some issues separating her childhood years from her teenage years” or “she needs to grow up”, just look at what they have to offer and you’ll realize that it doesn’t matter how old you are.

Before I get into talking about the movie I watched, I just wanted to say that although Disney movies are more or less aimed at children, I see now that I’m older, that when I was younger, I never caught on to the real messages of the movies. I was always so intrigued by the story and the characters, that I looked past them.

Take The Lion King for example. This movie teaches us that you cannot change the past, but you can make a change for the future by accepting the past, instead of avoiding it. Each Disney movie gives us something to follow and to learn.     

So the movie that I watched the other day was in fact, Mulan, and this was truly inspirational. I mean, she goes to fight in the army to take her father’s place even though it could result in devastation for impersonating a soldier and bringing dishonor to her family. But she did it out of love; and by going against society’s expectations of how a woman should act, she made a name for herself and showed that women are more powerful than what some men see them as.
 

As I continue to watch my old Disney movies, I seem to enjoy them just as much as when I was a kid. Go back to your years as a child and see it for yourself; what do you learn from them?