Technology and Cell Phone Comfort

            Most people know someone who is “technologically-challenged.” Whether it’s a family member or friend, sometimes it’s funny to hear and watch the situations and problems that arise from a tech-savvy perspective. For most I would assume the challenged would be grandparents and the elderly.  However that does not mean youth do not have difficulties with technology. I can say for myself that I don’t understand video games (besides Super Mario Bros. Wii and MarioKart Wii), how to fax a paper, digital TV channels, and other miscellaneous tasks. In the past few days I have seen three specific examples in all dealing with cell phones. This evening while eating dinner, the following three examples came up in discussion, and I thought it would be interesting to share levels of comfort with technology and how technology makes an impact on lives.

We ate at a local Panera Bread for dinner tonight. There was a family behind us; a granddaughter, daughter, and grandfather. All three generations were present, and all had different thoughts. The grandfather didn’t understand the benefit of having a cell phone on and with you at all times. The daughter and granddaughter explained to him that if something were to happen, such as getting lost, falling, a car accident, or any other emergency situation, a cell phone would act as a tracker. They told him it’s almost like a dog chip. It was also explained that it doesn’t do you any good if it’s sitting in your car, while someone is trying to reach you, and if it’s always off, it defeats the purpose of having a mobile device. Another thing I wish I could have added to the conversation was that it helps to answer your phone when it rings! More than often I have called someone and they never call me back until I see them in person and let them know.

            My Grandma, (my mom’s mother), is not opposed to technology, but definitely isn’t comfortable with it. She does not have a computer, simply because she feels there is no need for one. The only thing she knows and likes to do on a computer is play Solitaire. We then bought her a hand-held Solitaire game for Mother’s Day, and she returned it because she wasn’t completely comfortable using it. She has a cell phone and knows how to call people, answer incoming calls, and just recently, my mom taught her how to check voicemail messages. She has no idea how to send and receive text messages however. I think she receives about one text message every year so it is not of great importance. I am glad that she leaves her phone on a lot so we can reach her on the go.

            My Grandma, (my dad’s mother), has a computer, checks email regularly, and is fairly comfortable with technology. The problem is that she has a hard time with her phone because the letters and numbers are so small, and she doesn’t have quick fingers for texting. The screen goes dark before she can get the next letter in, and then she gets frustrated with the lack of efficiency. My Grandpa was thinking about getting her a touch screen phone, but realized that an iPhone would be way too complicated for her with all of the extra features. I like talking to her when her phone is on, however her phone seems like it is always off. She turns it on when she wants to use it, but when finished she’ll turn it off. When people reply to her text messages or leave her a voicemail, it takes the phone a couple minutes for them to show up once she has turned it back on. This confuses her even more when she her phone starts beeping at her. I am not quite sure why she turns it off, but I think one reason is to save the battery.

            From these examples, you can see that there is a wide variety of comfort levels in technology. Maybe you never knew that not every single person in the world has a computer and access to internet. It seems like our world today relies on the internet and media so much, that “normal” is based on the majority. For example, businesses may advertise “for more information visit, www.____.com.” What if someone without a computer wanted more information, how would they find out? It’s unfortunate that some people have to suffer without knowledge of information simply because they haven’t progressed as fast as the majority.  (757)

Eating Healthier

Recently Michelle Obama, the United States’ First Lady, set new regulations for school lunches that stands beside, “Let’s Move!” and her role as honorary chair of the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA). PHA is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that “is devoted to working with the private sector to ensure the health of our nation's youth by solving the childhood obesity crisis.” (www.ahealthieramerica.org)

To high school students this means one thing only: no dessert! Michelle Obama’s vision is to have lunch trays that consist mostly of fruits and vegetables. In our school system you can take two fruits and two vegetables now, whereas in previous years you could only take one of each. Now the school district is advertising that the featured menus include whole grains and are lower in fat. Also, you have to take at least one fruit or vegetable, or the price of the meal sky-rockets up. A nice lunch lady informed me of this fact the first week of school.

The kids I babysit eat a snack every day after school. Their mom told me whatever they could find to eat in the cupboard was ok with her within reason. She said she preferred they eat carrots, string cheese, crackers, juice or something healthier along those lines. Basically, try to avoid chocolate and Gushers that are there, but not intended for after school snacks. I completely understand and agree with her, and I think healthier foods are more filling anyway.

A couple things I was warned of before I started: one really likes chocolate and the other really likes fruity candy, especially Skittles. Luckily, she doesn’t keep Skittles lying around the house, which really… who does? Chocolate, however, is a harder thing to avoid. Everything has chocolate in it! Chocolate covered pretzels, 100 calorie mini brownies, peanut-butter chocolate crackers, Yo-Crunch (yogurt with miniature M&M’s), chocolate milk, chocolate-dipped granola bars, etc. All could be classified as candy or “junk food.” The hard part about these snacks is that yes, technically yogurt is good for you, but the M&M’s are not. How do you tell a little kid that they should probably choose something else when they know yogurt is a healthy choice?

From my experience, I have learned that you have to compromise and meet them halfway. For example, Yo-Crunch is ok with the parents, the child, and me, so everyone is happy. You get a little healthy in them, and they get their fix of chocolate. A win/win situation. I also noticed that if you offer them healthy foods like carrots and ranch, they will choose it by themselves some other time. Think of healthier foods you liked when you were a child, and go from there. Your ultimate goal is to keep kids happy and healthy.  (463)

Conversation Starters

                I babysit my neighbor's children every day after school until their parents get home from work. I love my job because the kids are fun to play with, get along with each other, and are good for me when I watch them. The two things I struggle with daily are 1) getting them to tell me about their day without the response of, “I don’t know,” and 2) eating a healthy snack, rather than chocolate or fruit snacks.

            I learned about child development last year in AP Psychology. I am interested in the subject because I feel like it is applicable to teaching elementary aged kids. Obviously every child is different when it comes to opening up sociably or what they know at their age, but at certain ages they learn how to do the same things. For example, how to walk or ride a bike.

            The two kids I babysit are both in elementary school. The age, gender, and grade isn’t important to this post, there is no need to be scientific. From what I have learned so far, it's that you have to encourage them to talk. If you simply ask, “What did you do today?” That is way too broad for someone that young to formulate a response. You either need to be more specific and ask each one about something you know they like, or ask in general an easy topic they’ll remember from their day. For example, “What did you eat for lunch today?” This leaves the air open for anything they possibly could have eaten so far. It doesn’t really matter what their response is, as long as you get them talking. It is important for kids to talk about their day so you understand their progress in school and keep them liking school as well. Another question I have found that works is asking about their “special” of the day. Either: art, gym, or music. Then I simply follow up with, “What are a couple things you did in that class today?”

            Kids will answer to "How was math today?" With, “It was ok.” This doesn’t mean kids do not like to learn, it is simply not something they are thrilled to talk about because they have been doing it all day. If you give them something playful to talk about, they will be more open. We will tackle eating healthy at a later date....  (403)

I'm a Panther!

                Ahhhh! I am so excited! On Wednesday, September 5, 2012 I received an email from the University of Northern Iowa in regards to my application. In the subject line it said: “You’re a Panther!” I was beyond happy…. I called my mom at work and told her the news, when my dad got home, I told him, and my grandparents came on Friday night; they were all so proud of me! It wasn’t like we doubted I would get in, but just knowing I have the decision and acceptance made is relieving. That same week, on Friday, September 7, 2012 I received a letter in the mail. It was the “official acceptance letter” from the office of admissions along with a nice congratulation. This is what everyone considers the piece of paper you frame for your graduation party.

Now that I am officially a Panther, I want to apply for housing, find a roommate, figure out who else is going to UNI, buy new apparel, go on another visit, register, find classes, etc. Although it is a year away, I am ready to think about college.

            I think I mentioned in a previous post about my major interest. If you didn’t read it, I want to major in Elementary Education (see below for reason). When I visited UNI on Panther Peek day, I talked to some professors from the College of Education. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to major in Chemistry or Elementary education. I basically wanted to know their advice on where they think I should start. They told me that both fields are in demand, but if I had any interest in Elementary education, I should start there, because they have specific courses you need to take, and if you start  later in the program you would be behind. My whole experience on the visit just felt right, and I knew this was where I wanted to go to school. Especially after the conversations with the professors, I knew if teachers were that helpful one-on-one, I would be successful in the classroom as well.  (351)

"Make it work!"

            How do you prioritize? Do you put school before friends, friends before family, family and friends before school? Life is full of so many decisions, and even the simplest could make an impact on your life. Decisions have consequences, and how you handle those shows what you have learned for the future.

I could have done several things this evening; gone to the game, wasted my life away on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, cleaned my room, etc. What won? Project Runway, Heidi Klum, and of course the beloved Tim Gunn. No worries teachers, I powered through my homework due Friday and even worked ahead in AP Chemistry. It feels so good not to be behind! As Sarah mentioned in her post regarding procrastination…. It really does stink!

If you are not familiar with Project Runway, it is a competition show on every Thursday night at 9/8c. Heidi Klum, the head judge, is accompanied by Nina Garcia and Michael Kors. Depending on the challenge, there is usually a guest judge as well. Twelve designers are selected for the show, and each week there is a new challenge to compete against each other with hopes to make it to the final three. The top 3 get to go to Fashion Week and design a cohesive collection. It takes a lot of perseverance to make it this far. Once the designers know the challenge, they sketch, go shopping at Mood Designer Fabrics, and have one day (usually) to make their design. Then on “Runway Day,” the designers have two hours to make finishing touches, send their models to hair and makeup, and pick accessories and shoes from the Lord and Taylor wall. Two hours seems like a lot of time to someone sitting on the couch, but I can imagine that it goes by way too fast for them. The models (who are in competition for a modeling job) work the runway. This is the point where the judges critique the designs, and Heidi gets pretty clever with her comments. When all is said and done, they pick a winner and a loser (the best and worst look). You wouldn’t believe the things they come up with… both good and bad.

Winning design by Anya Ayong-Chee, Season 9:

Losing Design by Buffi Jashanmal, Season 10:

           

           Even though Project Runway is a TV show, it has some values and skills that are applicable to life. For example, tonight’s episode was a group challenge in three’s. Groups generally work if you like or can at least stand the people you’re working with. This was not the case with Elena and Dmitry. They did not get along so well, and Alicia was stuck in the middle of it all. The team learned the hard way because their looks were not cohesive and the judges said you could feel the struggle and tension in the clothes. It turned out that Alicia was eliminated even though the other two were nasty to each other. If they would have prioritized completion of a look before personal problems, the probably would have found more success, and less stress tonight.

Project Runway is not only a fun show to watch, but it teaches people about working in a team, being kind to others, and working for a win. No matter what life hands to you, use Tim Gunn’s advice: “Make it work!”  (562)

                                     

About Me

                My name is Lindsey and this is my first blog. I am looking forward to sharing my “Spin” on different topics in the next year or so. You will learn later what the other meaning of “Spin” is….. Stay tuned!

            One of my favorite things to do in my free time is play tennis. I have played for seven years and have improved every year. I took lessons through the city when I was little, played middle school tennis, and currently play for the high school women’s tennis team. I take lessons in the offseason (summer, fall, winter) so my skills stay fresh for the spring. I also really like to watch tennis, especially Rafael Nadal. “Vamos Rafa!” The US Open is currently on TV and I am following the Williams’ sisters, Azarenka, Tsonga, and Federer. Rafa is currently not able to play because of tendonitis, so I am forced to cheer for someone else.

            My family and I also go to football games on Saturdays in the fall. It’s something we’ve been doing since I was in elementary school. My Grandpa and Grandma have season tickets, so my Dad and I usually go with them. We leave a little early so we can get a parking spot, tailgate, and play cards. I love college football and it is one of my favorite ways to bond with my family.

            When I have down time, I enjoy free-reading and watching movies. Some of my favorite books are, To Kill a Mockingbird, My Sister’s Keeper, Dear John, Tallgrass, and Because of Winn-Dixie (a childhood favorite). I wouldn’t say I have a specific genre I regularly read, but I’m definitely not into the typical “teen” book. Free-reading is tough sometimes because as many other students know, it is difficult to get a free moment during the school year! Some of my favorite movies are, Hairspray, Dear John, The Help, Spiderman, The Hunger Games, War Horse, Puss in Boots, The Twilight Saga, and Snow White and the Huntsman. Whether I rent one or go to the theatre, I think movies are a leisurely activity whether I’m with friends and family, or by myself.

            I also attend youth group on Wednesday nights and go to church regularly on Sunday morning. One of the best things about youth group is my youth leader. She is awesome and I feel like I can tell her anything. Youth group is ten times more fun because she encourages people to come and comes up with enriching activities. In the summer we usually go on a mission trip, and a couple years ago we went to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.

            Finally, I really like making beaded bracelets and necklaces. It’s a hobby I learned and picked up from one of my friends. She does it a little differently, but I made it my own with a different style. Although I have made a couple necklaces in my “career,” bracelets are definitely my expertise. I buy all of my materials at Michael’s and have created dozens of different designs thus far.   (514)

Applying for College: September 1, 2012

            College seems unreal right now as a senior in high school. Not only do we have to finish classes that are just beginning, prom will soon arrive before we know it, tennis season will come, and then graduation on May 24^th. Although we’re still in high school and most of us are still under eighteen, and not “adults” yet, we are starting to make life choices and growing up.

College visits: This past spring, I visited two different colleges. I really liked the first one I visited because everything just felt right when I was there. I liked the second one as well, but it was so big that it was overwhelming. I felt like I was another fish in the sea and none of my professors would know who I am. Step one complete.

Taking the ACT: I took the ACT in June…. this would be the “scary” test everyone worries about. I learned that it’s not something to worry about because it’s like any other standardized test taken in high school. The good thing about it is that you can retake it as many times as you want, and you’ll most likely improve every time! Don’t worry about it; I think students in the future will find that you do better than anticipated. Step two complete.

Applying: Last night I applied and submitted my first application online. It was so exciting and I wanted to know the answer right away! Unfortunately that was a little unrealistic, and I will have to wait and be patient since its Labor Day weekend and it was a Saturday night. Although the application was pretty straight forward, I am proud of myself for completing this step towards college. I think this is one of the biggest steps there is to take, because either you’re admitted or you’re not. Step three complete.

Applying for housing, meal plans, scholarships, financial aid, finding a roommate, registering for classes, going to the incoming freshman visit, and finding an on-campus job are all to come at some point, but I feel like I am making progress in the right direction, and it will all work out one step at a time.

I have always been interested in elementary education, but wasn’t sure if it was exactly right for me. I really like working with kids and school, so I thought what could be better? My mom recommended that I ask the school counselor about a job shadow opportunity, and until this summer I was highly considering it. Instead, I went on a mission trip this past summer to Omaha with my youth group. We went to a lot of different non-profit organizations and some that stuck out to me were: The Hope Center, Douglas County Youth Detention Center (DCYC), and Victory Boxing Club. Basically they were all places kids could go to do their homework, have fun, and to get them off the street and out of gangs. After listening to the leaders and statistics of these centers, I realized that I want to teach kids so I can make a positive impact in their life, and help them learn new things. If a child has an education and is passionate about succeeding in school, it is less likely they will follow their other family members in the wrong direction. Through the mission trip, I found that I am confident I want to major in Elementary Education and even up to eighth grade if it’s possible to get certified that way. My major could very well change, but for now that’s what I’m starting with.

I am looking forward to my senior year, college, and seeing where my life leads me.  (615)