What can I say about my week of Twitter experience? That it was really fun, and I learned a lot about social media all the while taking away something meaningful from the whole experience? Not necessarily. While this was my first time using Twitter, and I was a little bit excited about creating a Twitter account; I felt that I didn't ever really have time to "tweet". To be quite honest, I'm not even sure I tweeted 20 times. Maybe my life just isn't that interesting, and that's how pathetic I am. Maybe it's because I have had a facebook for much longer, which has become my primary social media account. And maybe, it might be because no one person I was following had anything cool to talk about or anything interesting that pertained to my life for me to reply to. Whatever the reason may be, it just didn't fit into my life.
All that being said, I do understand that there are certain advantages to having a Twitter account. It does establish connections with new people that you may not have known before. This enables you to gain information about people that are of a particular interest to you. It's also a great way to put yourself out there and potentially get a job. I particularly like the fact that it allows to say what's on your mind. You can say speak your mind and let others know of your opinion without any real repercussions. In other words, it's a good way to talk to trash or bash someone if you're a coward.
For what it's worth, I like the idea of trying new things and expanding my horizons. I think it's a good way of putting yourself on the market and letting others know you're out there. Perhaps once I'm out of college I will be more inclined to use my Twitter account for business purposes. For now however, it was more of a hit and miss.
http://twitter.com/jacob_a_lace
http://www.balkhis.com/twitter/25-reasons-why-someone-should-join-twitter
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Dia de Los Muertos
I went to the Dia de Los Muertos Ceremonia diversity event. It is a Mexican holiday that translates to The Day of the Dead. Rituals are celebrated every year in Mexico and certain parts of The United States. It occurs on November 1 and 2 with the first day honoring children and infants, and the second honoring deceased adults. It is basically a day when family members get together and honor their deceased loved ones by building altars and decorating them with favorite foods of the deceased; and by visiting grave sites with certain gifts as well.
A speaker came and gave a lecture on the history and origin of the holiday. The session was very informative, and the holiday dates as far back as 3000 years. It was interesting to see how the Mexican culture views death differently the majority of the U.S. In the U.S. they view death as a time of mourning and sadness while in Mexico the celebrate with festivities like dancing and partying to honor their dead ones.
I already had some sort of previous knowledge of Dia de Los Muertos from Spanish classes in high school. My junior year in Spanish 3 everyone in the class turned their desk into an altar and brought in foods and drinks and we had a little party where we sang Spanish songs and learned dances. Our teacher even made us some very good hot chocolate.
I actually enjoyed attending this event and learning a little more about the holiday. I was surprised to see how people really go all out on this day buying lots of flowers and painting their faces like skulls. There are a lot of skeletons and skulls involved with this day which is why it gets related to Halloween a lot, but the two actually have little in common.
A speaker came and gave a lecture on the history and origin of the holiday. The session was very informative, and the holiday dates as far back as 3000 years. It was interesting to see how the Mexican culture views death differently the majority of the U.S. In the U.S. they view death as a time of mourning and sadness while in Mexico the celebrate with festivities like dancing and partying to honor their dead ones.
I already had some sort of previous knowledge of Dia de Los Muertos from Spanish classes in high school. My junior year in Spanish 3 everyone in the class turned their desk into an altar and brought in foods and drinks and we had a little party where we sang Spanish songs and learned dances. Our teacher even made us some very good hot chocolate.
I actually enjoyed attending this event and learning a little more about the holiday. I was surprised to see how people really go all out on this day buying lots of flowers and painting their faces like skulls. There are a lot of skeletons and skulls involved with this day which is why it gets related to Halloween a lot, but the two actually have little in common.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Me at My Best
It's hard for me to narrow just one time when I was the best. I mean, there are just so many times when I have been better than everyone else. I hate to use a double negative, but I'd like to think that I've never not been the best. Some might call this arrogant. I however, simply refer to it as being confident.
That being said, the time that I most vividly remember when I was at my best would have to be my junior year at state track. It had been a very good track season for me thus far; and I, as well as the rest of team, was performing exceptionally well. Our 4x4 relay was our best event. We were dominating every meet, and soon we had posted the fastest time in the state in class 1A.
When districts rolled around we were feeling very confident that we would make it to state. Sure enough, we came in first place at districts and punched our ticket to the state meet. Not only had we qualified our 4x4 relay, but also the 4x2, shuttle hurdle, and distance medley relays. None of which would have made it without me of course.
And so there we were, coming into state with the fastest qualifying time and only three seconds off our school record. We had high hopes, and when the time came around for the preliminary heats we were feeling very confident in ourselves. After the preliminary heats we sitting in first place out of eight teams. There was a good chance that we could walk away state champions.
The finals were the next day, and there was much hype surrounding the race. We were sitting three seconds ahead of the next fastest team. It was a good race. It came down to the final home stretch. For a second it looked like we were going to be state champions. My hopes were soon dashed however, when in the final seconds our last leg of the race was passed by another team. I could have sworn I saw my life flash before my eyes.
Although devastated, I kept my head up. As a team we ran our fastest time, and I myself ran my personal best time. Second place wasn't so bad when you stopped to think that some people never get to experience that moment ever. I had done something meaningful and worthwhile with my high school career. It was definitely a day to be proud of, and a time when I was at my best.
That being said, the time that I most vividly remember when I was at my best would have to be my junior year at state track. It had been a very good track season for me thus far; and I, as well as the rest of team, was performing exceptionally well. Our 4x4 relay was our best event. We were dominating every meet, and soon we had posted the fastest time in the state in class 1A.
When districts rolled around we were feeling very confident that we would make it to state. Sure enough, we came in first place at districts and punched our ticket to the state meet. Not only had we qualified our 4x4 relay, but also the 4x2, shuttle hurdle, and distance medley relays. None of which would have made it without me of course.
And so there we were, coming into state with the fastest qualifying time and only three seconds off our school record. We had high hopes, and when the time came around for the preliminary heats we were feeling very confident in ourselves. After the preliminary heats we sitting in first place out of eight teams. There was a good chance that we could walk away state champions.
The finals were the next day, and there was much hype surrounding the race. We were sitting three seconds ahead of the next fastest team. It was a good race. It came down to the final home stretch. For a second it looked like we were going to be state champions. My hopes were soon dashed however, when in the final seconds our last leg of the race was passed by another team. I could have sworn I saw my life flash before my eyes.
Although devastated, I kept my head up. As a team we ran our fastest time, and I myself ran my personal best time. Second place wasn't so bad when you stopped to think that some people never get to experience that moment ever. I had done something meaningful and worthwhile with my high school career. It was definitely a day to be proud of, and a time when I was at my best.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thoughts on Beloit College Mindset
While I do find all of these little tidbits somewhat interesting, there are a good majority that do not pertain to me or have any relevance in my life. I understand that this mindset list is in regard to the 2014 graduating class as a whole, but I think that some of the items are a bit unfair and sort of dumb down the entire class. I find a lot of the list to be quite an insult to my pop culture knowledge. Also, Nirvana has never been nor ever will be on an oldies station.
First of all, I think everyone probably knows how to write in cursive. However, it is rarely required to use cursive so most people just aren't very good at it. Pointing to the wrist is the universal sign for asking for the time. I do it all the time. Nirvana is early 90's grunge music...and quite possibly one of the most over rated bands of all time. My current tube of toothpaste does not, in fact, stand on its cap. I only know of Beethoven the composer. The Dirty Harry series of movies happen to be one of my favorites. "Nobody, and I mean nobody puts ketchup on a hot dog."
There are a few statements on this list that do hold to be true however. It is quite true that I only know of John McEnroe as the angry guy in the car rental commercials. Sad as I am to admit it, but I did have quite the extensive Beanie Baby collection as a young child. Fergie is a pop singer. She has lots of good songs that I like. What are Kodachrome slides? The idea of hundreds of cable channels is exciting. There are only a select few I actually do watch. I do love me Snoop Doggy Dogg. Foshizzle my nizzle.
After reading this list I do feel somewhat insulted. I mean, I'm not constantly on my phone or my computer drowning in this world of technology. I enjoy the simpler things in life: reading magazines, walks on the beach, bubble baths, and eating sunflower seeds. I believe that this class deserves more credit than is given. I for one, would never name a dog Beethoven, or burn a cross for that matter. And the only thing cooler than the SYFY channel is Cody Lindemann.
First of all, I think everyone probably knows how to write in cursive. However, it is rarely required to use cursive so most people just aren't very good at it. Pointing to the wrist is the universal sign for asking for the time. I do it all the time. Nirvana is early 90's grunge music...and quite possibly one of the most over rated bands of all time. My current tube of toothpaste does not, in fact, stand on its cap. I only know of Beethoven the composer. The Dirty Harry series of movies happen to be one of my favorites. "Nobody, and I mean nobody puts ketchup on a hot dog."
There are a few statements on this list that do hold to be true however. It is quite true that I only know of John McEnroe as the angry guy in the car rental commercials. Sad as I am to admit it, but I did have quite the extensive Beanie Baby collection as a young child. Fergie is a pop singer. She has lots of good songs that I like. What are Kodachrome slides? The idea of hundreds of cable channels is exciting. There are only a select few I actually do watch. I do love me Snoop Doggy Dogg. Foshizzle my nizzle.
After reading this list I do feel somewhat insulted. I mean, I'm not constantly on my phone or my computer drowning in this world of technology. I enjoy the simpler things in life: reading magazines, walks on the beach, bubble baths, and eating sunflower seeds. I believe that this class deserves more credit than is given. I for one, would never name a dog Beethoven, or burn a cross for that matter. And the only thing cooler than the SYFY channel is Cody Lindemann.
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