Obama to Become First African American President

History was just made. For the first time in the history of the United States, an African American man has become the president of this country. Never before had I seen such absolute happiness and celebration over the winner of a presidential election. It was incredible. I saw tears of joy on TV and people shouting "Obama!" outside.

Obama's victory not only made history for this country. In cities around the world, people celebrated over Obama's presidential win. In his acceptance speech, Obama discussed the work that is cut out for him as president. He is going to have to deal with a failed economy, two wars and in essence, a divided country. These are some huge issues that Obama must deal with beginning January 20, 2009.

Maybe it was his charismatic speech. Or perhaps it was his promise for change. Whatever it was, watching him speak last night made me believe we could turn this country around, even just simply for the fact that blacks, whites and people of all races around the world were celebrating the victory of this one man.

I will admit, whether McCain or Obama won, it did not really matter to me. There were things I liked and disliked about both candidates. I will say though that being part of last night and witnessing Obama's speech really hit me. This is a huge part of history and such an accomplishment not only for Obama, but for all African Americans. Our country really has come far. With Obama's win last night, I feel like the race barrier was lifted, even if just temporarily.

With all politicians, one can never know if they will live up to what they promise. I'll be interested to see what Obama does in his presidency and the mark he makes. I'm excited for the change he is promising and hope that he will actually change aspects in America for the better. Whatever happens, history is being made right now and I am really glad I am part of it. Click here to read Obama's acceptance speech from last night: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl135

Historical Political Competition Draws to a Close

It’s almost over. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. For over a year the U.S. has been constantly bombarded with political rallies, articles, advertisements, anything a candidate can do to try to boost them ahead of their opponent. I haven’t been alive for too many elections, but for the ones I have witnessed, this one has been the most heated. To start with, the battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton was epic. The fact that the presidential candidates in the Democratic Party consisted of an African American and a woman were astounding. It’s kind of shocking to me despite how far our country has come in a variety of other aspects, that all of our previous presidents had been white males. It was interesting to see who the victor would be between Obama and Clinton after a brutal competition to become the democratic candidate for president.

It’s the day before the 2008 presidential election and we are down to Obama and McCain. Another heated debate between the two has existed for several months. Obama constantly criticizes McCain for his policies and how they are too close to those of the current president, George W. Bush. McCain, however, attacks Obama on the fact that he believes he is inexperienced to be president.

It really seems like a juvenile squabble between the two. A squabble that I am frankly sick of. I’d rather the candidates focus on the important issues like rebuilding the economy and ensuring that every American has affordable and reliable health care. Rather, these two men are really just exchanging a war of words where they are trying to manipulate voters in either direction. These are the two men that are, in essence, applying for the job to be our next president. Whoever wins tomorrow, I hope, can move past the squabbling and really take our country in a positive direction. I think everyone can agree that the U.S. needs a change. We don’t need an ineffective, slow change that really won’t make a difference in our lives. We need to move past the debates and the politics of politics and take action. There needs to be something done about global warming. If we don’t take charge and make a change for our future, we may not have a future. I really hope our next president will embrace change and really move our country forward to the place it should be, the land of the free.

A Time to be Thankful

As Thanksgiving draws near, I think it is really important to look at the things in your life that you are really thankful for. I am the first to admit I get easily stressed with all the school work and long to-do list that I have every day. I may take things for granted and might forget to thank those around me for what they have done for me. I have a lot to be thankful for. Even just the small things like a place to live, food to eat and warmth. I take these things for granted but I know that some people would do anything to have what I have. I am fortunate to be getting a quality education at a very expensive college. Even though I complain about my job at times, at least I have one. I have a family that supports me and helps me in whatever way they can. I have an amazing boyfriend who respects me and loves me so much. Let's face it; it's difficult to find a "good guy" these days but I'm thankful that I found the best one. While my car may be "very old" by some standards, I am thankful that I have transportation and a way to get wherever I need to go. Every Thanksgiving, I never really take the time to think about what I am thankful for. I think it would be really important to start doing that and to realize how many positive things I have in my life. If you have trouble thinking of anything to be thankful for, here's one: there are only five more days of classes left, 3 days of finals and then we all have two weeks off for Thanksgiving break. Now there's something to be thankful for!

Life Before Facebook?

We were discussing the use of Facebook yesterday in my Multimedia Storytelling class. It's hard to remember what life was like before Facebook. How did you know if that couple from high school was still dating? Where did that quiet guy from English class go to college? Facebook has definitely changed the social aspect of both colleges and high schools alike. While the social networking site may seem a little "stalkerish" at times, (specifically the news feed that details every update that a friend makes) Facebook has many positive aspects as well. People I haven't talked to since grade school have added me as a friend on Facebook. It's interesting to see who these people have become and what they are doing with their life. After graduating from high school, Facebook really helps for friends to stay in touch as they all go their separate ways. You can also post pictures on Facebook for everyone to see. This may be a good or bad thing. Many times I have seen some people's photos that I think should stay in their own private collection. However, I have also seen pictures on Facebook of people that have studied abroad and put all their pictures on their profile. While I think some people spend a little too much time on Facebook, I think overall it is a great resource. It allows you to connect with so many different people from different points in your life in one place. I definitely think Facebook should not replace the actual social interactions between people. After all, how many of you would like it if you go to tell your friend about something that has happened and they tell you, "Yeah, I know. I already saw it on Facebook"? We have to use Facebook in the right way, not allowing it to replace social interactions with people in real life. If you are spending all your time caught up in Facebook, how are you going to have real friends to write on your wall or pictures from Friday night to add to your profile? We should use Facebook as an online social networking site and that is all. Click here to read an article on how Barack Obama has used Facebook for his presidential campaign. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article5041725.ece

Social Amnesia or Snobbery at its Finest?

Have you ever been walking to class and passed by someone you used to talk to? Perhaps they worked on a project with you last year or maybe you used to live in their building sophomore year. Whatever the reason you were friends, (or acquaintances) you, in fact, at some point talked with these people. Therefore, the only polite thing to do when you see this individual is to say a quick hello or flash them a smile. It never ceases to amaze me how little people follow this rule. It's like after a certain period of time you drop out of their social agenda to be greeted on the sidewalk. Then there are those people you say hello to but don't respond back. This aggravates me to no end. I think it is one of the rudest things people do. So many people talk about how friendly a campus Mercyhurst is, but how friendly is it really? Is this campus really only friendly when you see these people from day to day? People will find any excuse in the book not to look at you. They will quickly grab for their cell phone and pretend that they need to send an extremely important text. Others look straight ahead as if nobody else in the world matters to them. Are people just forgetting that they used to talk to you at some point? Or, are some individuals so concerned with their own lives that they can't dignify your presence with a response? Either way, people really need to take a lesson in respect and politeness and really exemplify how "friendly" Mercyhurst is.

Job Market Worries Soon-To-Be College Graduates

Are you worried about finding a job after graduation? If so, you are not alone. As the weeks pass by faster and faster, thoughts of after graduation looms to mind. I've been thinking about this a lot lately; where am I going to work and what am I going to do? It can cause a lot of anxiety when you are worried about your future. What really worries me is the current job market. I know people who are highly qualified in their career field but are unable to find a job. Perhaps they are too picky and unwilling to delve into a similar field. Whatever the case, the job market looks pretty grim these days. Any prior experience or qualities you possess to put you at the top of the list will work in your favor. Internships are very important and can show an employer you have real world experience and what you can offer to benefit their company. I think it is also important to search for a job realistically. You are most likely not going to land your dream job right out of college. It takes time, work and commitment to establish yourself in the career world. Therefore, keep your options open and see what develops after graduation. To read more on the decline in the job market, click here. http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2008/10/21/News/As.Job.Market.Dries.Up.Business.School.Tries.To.Ease.Concerns-3495221.shtml

The Year of Living Biblically

I just finished reading The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. The story, written by Jacobs, follows his one-year journey obeying as many of the Bible's rules as possible. This journey proved to be very difficult for Jacobs, who was baptized Jewish but grew up Agnostic. It is also challenging for Jacobs who must continue following the Bible's commands while living with his pregnant wife and raising his two-year-old son.

One of the funniest moments throughout the book was when Jacobs was following the command in the Bible that he must stone adulterers. As Jacobs is sitting in Central Park one day, an elderly man notices Jacobs strange attire (which consists of long, white garments and an enormous beard). The man asks Jacobs why he is dressed like that and Jacobs proceeds to explain his biblical journey. Jacobs informs the man that he is following the rule in the Bible today that he must stone adulterers. The man tells Jacobs that he, in fact, is an adulterer. Jacobs, following every command closely, proceeds to stone the elderly man with pebbles.

There are a lot of examples Jacobs lives out from the Bible in his book. It is really interesting to see how other people react to such commands that Jacobs must follow.

After reading the book, it really made me realize just how ancient some traditions are in the Bible. It doesn't make sense to take the entire Bible literally because are world is a completely different place than it was in ancient times. As our world grows, we develop new customs and alter existing ones so they fit our modern world. While The Year of Living Biblically explored both the positive and negative aspects of following the Bible literally, it really helps to develop your own view on such an interpretation.

Home Sweet Home

Last weekend I went home for my Grandma's 94th birthday party. I always like going home. It just feels comfortable to me. When I left last Friday, I headed straight home on I-90. It was absolutely picturesque the entire way driving home. The leaves on all the trees were just starting to change into hues of red, yellow, and orange. The bright blue sky was the perfect backdrop. I must admit, I love driving home by myself. I instantly throw my CD in the player and crank up whatever music is on it; usually the best sing-along songs like Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." It feels like a little bit of perfection when you have great weather, beautiful sites and amazing music to sing along to. It is only about a 90-minute drive home, which isn't too bad. After driving for only 30 minutes, I reach Ohio. Living in the Buckeye State all of my life, I can't help but to yell out (or maybe just think) O-H-I-O! While the weekend sped by way too fast, it was great to be home and see my family. It's such a weird feeling though, being in two different worlds on the same day. It was definitely nice to have a change of scenery and a break from all the work that still needs to be done.

You Could Say He's Well-Read

I recently saw a story on the front page of Yahoo! about a man who read the entire dictionary. Random things like this interest me, so I read the article to find out what this was all about. The man, Ammon Shea, has indeed read all 21,000 pages of The Oxford English Dictionary. Ammon, a writer and a man who openly loves vocabulary, read the dictionary over the past year.

This isn't the first time someone has undertaken such a task. I am currently reading The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. Not only has Jacobs undertaken living out the Bible, his previous book, The Know-It-All details the year he spent reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica.

Are these both examples of a thirst for knowledge? Or, simply just to say they did it? Whatever the case, both of these men show the dedication of two writers to push forward on a new adventure for themselves and their career. Maybe they will inspire me a bit to undertake such a challenge.

To read the article on Ammon Shea, click here.
http://wcbstv.com/local/oxford.dictionary.reader.2.833948.html

Tell Us How You Met...

As I was sitting in a corner booth in Panera the other day, studying my 14-page study guide for Social Ethics, I couldn't help but overhear a conversation taking place just two tables next to me. I don't know, maybe it's the journalist in me, but I always tend to "overhear" the best conversations. Let me set up the scene here. Man: gray, scraggly hair, maybe upper 60s. Woman: considerably younger, possibly in her early 50s. Maybe they were friends, I thought. What transpired next made me realize otherwise. I could see the look on the woman's face; she was smitten. Her eyes were locked in conversation with the man sitting across from her the entire time. It took me back to that first date feeling when you try to bring up random conversation and get to know each other better. I heard the woman blurt out something about her grandmother. You don't even get into talking about family unless you all ready really like the other person. Now, I am definitely not one to judge, but this was no ordinary "date." I heard them discussing their pictures online and how they really didn't look like that in person. "Oh my God," I thought. "These two met online and are now meeting for their first date at Panera."

Online dating is something I would never do, but I know it has worked for other people. Is there simply not enough appealing people in your everyday life that you have to resort to online dating? How do you even go about this? Scan through pages and pages of men or women until you find one you like? This couple at Panera was a perfect example about how these pictures don't even portray what the other looks like. I heard the man say his picture online was taken possibly 30 years ago. It made me laugh and wonder if he was embarrassed of how he looks now. If you are going to experiment with online dating, you should definitely choose a current picture. You have to be yourself. If another person is going to like you, they will like you no matter how you look. The whole situation scares me a bit anyway. How can you ever really know if the person you are talking to online is who they say they are?

Dating has come a long way in the past 20 years. If a person doesn't find a suitable significant other, they can just post their profile online and hope for love to come knocking. If it works and you find a great significant other, all the more power to you. However, I am reminded of last week's episode of Desperate Housewives. The mother wanted to know what was going on in her son's life so she decided to talk to him online pretending to be a girl his age. So, be safe and make good decisions; you never know who you could be talking to.

Men: Why Do They Act Like That?

Maybe it is just me, but I seem to take half of what my boyfriend says the wrong way. It's not exactly what he says, it's what he doesn't say. Exhibit A: I talk for about 25 minutes straight to him about how stressed I am and how much I have to do. He replies by telling me how much he has to do. That does not make me feel any better! To me, that means he doesn't care what I say and that my remarks are pathetic. When I confront him about it, he tells me that is not what he means at all. He always points out to me a very interesting and truthful fact: women communicate to gain intimacy and men communicate to gain status. For him, telling me how much he has to do is lowering himself and telling me about how much worse he has it so I will feel better.

This leads me to many very interesting thoughts. Women have many close friends who they share everything with. Men, however, may have a few close friends but when it comes to the sappy emotional stuff, they're out. Women are not afraid for other women to see them in times of weakness. However, men are completely opposite. They need to be "strong" and can't show off their weaknesses to anyone. When is the last time you really sat down with a guy and tried to talk about feelings? Unless you have a very close relationship, good luck ladies.

Dr. Deborah Tannen wrote a book called "You Just Don't Understand:Women and Men in Conversation." After reading an interview with her in a New York Times article, Tannen brings up a lot of interesting points as well. She says that girls and boys virtually grow up in two different communication worlds. When girls are little, they are having tea parties and sharing their secrets with other girls. When boys are young, a leader emerges in the group and competition arises.

Another example Tannen gave in the article was what occurs when men and women return home from work. She said when women reach home, all they want to do is talk about the good, the bad and the ugly from their day. In contrast, men get home from work and don't want to talk at all about their day. For them, they see home as a place of relaxation and a way to escape from work.

This made me laugh because I always find myself in this situation. When I ask my boyfriend how his day was, I usually get a "Eh, it was OK." When he asks me the same question, you bet he is going to get a long, detailed description of everything that happened. Moral of the story, be aware that men communicate differently than women do and vice versa. It will clear up a lot of confusion and save you a lot of time trying to figure out the opposite sex.

To read the New York Times Interview with Dr. Deborah Tannen, please visit the following website.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2DB1430F93AA25755C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
(Photo Courtesy of AOL)

Vote 2008

As I filled out my voter registration card earlier this week and sent it on its way, I considered how I am still undecided on who to vote for for this presidential election. Each candidate has positive aspects that I could definitely see benefiting our country. However, being moderate in the whole political world, I don't really feel very strongly for each candidate. I question how much experience Barack Obama really has and if he is capable of dealing with the chaos the United States is involved in right now. What about John McCain? He is more experienced and I really like that he is willing to support our veterans, considering he is one himself. What worries me though, is that many of his policies will be similar to George W. Bush. For me, it seems a toss up for which candidate is going to lead our country in the right direction.

After watching the presidential debate last Friday, I am even more confused. The entire debate seemed like a squabble of name-calling between McCain and Obama. McCain repeatedly accused Obama of his inexperience and his ineptness of dealing with foreign leaders. Obama criticized McCain of following Bush's example and continuing with the war in Iraq.

It didn't help that the media did not give a clear cut evaluation of the debate either. Instead, they also found it to be a toss up between the two candidates. Some of the national networks chose Obama as the winner and some definitively pointed to McCain as the victor. In my opinion, this is from the bias of their own political views invading into their political interpretations of who debated successfully for their desire to be the next president of the United States.

Although I am still undecided, I feel very strongly that every American should vote. Whether you are a democrat, republican or independent, every vote is important to the future of our country.

For more on the first 2008 presidential debate, read this article on NPR's website. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95161120
(Photo Courtesy of CBSNews.com)

Move Over iTunes and Amazon

Being a member of the "internet generation," I will openly admit that I once called the now subscription-based Napster a favorite program for downloading music. Now when I want a song, I think it is worth the $.99 to hop on iTunes and download. However, nothing is better than getting something for free. That is where the former king (or queen for that matter) of social networking sites comes in. MySpace will be introducing their new music service on September 25.

The service seems to have potential. It will include an expansive catalog of FREE music from artists on such labels as EMI, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. If the service doesn't have a song you are looking for, it will link you to Amazon where you can purchase it for under a dollar.

I am anxious to see how this program works and if it actually gives you the ability to listen to the songs outside of MySpace. Hopefully the service will actually include quality songs and artists also.

It doesn't surprise me that MySpace is creating this free music service for members. The site has always been one that gives exposure to artists both well-known and up- and-coming. I think it is also very smart of MySpace to make such a move. They recently have been losing traction to Facebook. This might be one feature that will bring back members to MySpace and increase their popularity once again.

Click the link below to read the full article on Time Magazine's website.
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1844013-2,00.html

The Beginning of the End

When I moved into college three weeks ago, it was bittersweet. This would be the last time I would have to pack up my parent's van and my car and trek the 90 miles to Erie. Reuniting with friends after 3 long months apart was exciting. It hit me all at once though that these would be the final eight months I would be spending living this close to many of my friends. These are the people I have been through everything with, and in eight short months we will have to say our final goodbyes.

Every year starts out the same; I am excited to be back to school and living on my own, but then reality sets in. These last three weeks have been a blur of chaos; papers to write, tests to study for and books to read. After going to school for the last 17 years of my life, I am excited to be done and move on. I feel like I am too old to be still going to school amongst the monotony of schoolwork. So, I guess you could say, senioritis is rearing its ugly head already.

I know I can't check out quite yet though. Only eight more months of hard work in school, and then it is on to "the real world." Many people have told me to stay in school as long as I can. At this point, I am ready and excited to finally be done. However, this year is likely to bring about some of the best memories of my life, so I am going to try to enjoy it from beginning to end.

Welcome!

I originally was assigned to create this blog for my Multimedia Storytelling class. However, I am excited for the endless possibilities I can write about dealing with everything from college experiences, to current events occurring around the world. Stay tuned...