tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11299749175764766972024-02-02T15:15:37.487-06:00Moments in TimeKelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-79166822027747419282013-03-02T23:15:00.000-06:002013-03-02T23:40:57.095-06:00Life, tell me what's next.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Life after graduating college (December 2012) becomes more real each day and it opens a new door of adulthood. A new chapter, a new stones to be stepped on. I guess it's okay fall over and get muddy. But the other hand, I say proudly say that I have a Bachelor of Arts in English with the concentration of English as a Second Language. I'm still looking for a job currently. These two months have not been great when I'm used to always doing something everything since I've been in school since 2007. But I'm sure if I keep looking and work hard to my goals, then something is bound to pop up and catch my attention. Or even better fall into my hands! I certainly can't go too long without money. Tisk, tisk.. being broke and without is not an option. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Besides that this winter has not been a real winter. Sprinkles, snow flurry showers, and an inch of snow here and there just isn't satisfying me right now. The only thing I think we have to worry about here in Memphis is icy and slick road conditions. Never the less I was happy get that much. I'm just ready for warmer weather and longer days! Those spring, warm, breezy days are coming soon. I can feel it. And I think Blogger should take after Microsoft Word and add more choices of fonts and real, numerical font sizes. If the options are good enough for them, then it may just be good enough for us to use. But I'd suggest upgrading those areas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">And if you don't like Adele, you should. That's all I'm going to say about her.. ooh.. and her performance at the Oscars!! However, the song is "Skyfall" is still growing on me. Last year's Grammay performance?... my life was handed to be all in one night. I was "Rolling in the Deep" with Adele. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Loved it! Despite the negative comments from the oppositions, I'm still gonna love her. She finally said her baby's name.. and I'm waiting for a new album from her. I'm sure she's been working on new songs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">I think I've written enough. At least for now since I haven't published a fresh post. Talk to you later.</span> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-62024647677723622622012-04-30T23:39:00.000-05:002012-04-30T23:39:06.296-05:00From the Bat Cave<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Feels like forever since I've written a blog post...wait! It <i>h</i>as<i> </i>been a couple of months. I've just been burnt out on blogging lately. And sometimes life does that. I hope to some back with some fresh content and fun for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">How things been doing with you? Ready for the summer time? I don't like this super warm weather... I'm not going to complain but man, it's getting hot outside. I need some beach-like weather here in Memphis and I'll be good.</span></div>Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-16154519895878826492011-03-11T17:45:00.001-06:002011-03-11T17:50:43.424-06:00A Personal Side of Me: What You May Not Know<p>What does it mean to live a good life? What matters most in life? What are the things that are essential to life that we find that can create an impact on us? What is my purpose as a human being? Such questions soar through my head daily. </p> <p>I’m just an ordinary person living the life of an average person. Not everyone is the same. While I am misunderstood sometimes because of my way of thinking on what matters to me, it seems like others find them meaningfulness. What matters to me is living the good life. If my smile can change someone’s frown upside down, then that simple random act of kindness makes me day even brighter. Living the good life means to dig down within myself to find what motivates me to continue on to pursuing my goals. Appreciating the simple the things in life -and what I have and don’t have- are important to me.</p> <p>Being an altruistic person matters to me; it’s a unique personality trait that I can see shining within me. Altruism exists when someone does a favor for someone they do not expect anything to be given back to them as appreciation. I look at this as a random act of kindness; expecting the unexpected. Isn’t that we are suppose to be towards each other? We do a favor for someone and don’t really expect for it to be returned but yet they will give us something in return. It is called doing the right thing. Yet some people do wrong, but as long as I’m doing right and setting an example, it matters. It’s the thought that counts. I find quite a few things (music, books, quotes, movies) along with family and friends that keep me motivated and inspire to find my purpose and to allow myself to continue staying positive. </p> <p>They say the grass is greener on the other side. Some people have worse days than I do. I don’t think a person can live a perfect life, but life is what we make it, and like the cliché goes “life isn’t fair.” Sometimes my goals and things I hope to accomplish are bigger than the shoes I can fill. Because the dreamer I am, some goals and things I want to do is simply wishful thinking and a plenty of daydreaming.</p> <p>There is this show on MTV called <u>The Buried Life</u> that deals with four friends traveling across North America on their purple bus named Penelope while they complete their 100 list of “things to do before you die.” In each show they complete an item off their life list and even help a stranger to go after their dream or something they always wanted to do. One simple question can leave an impression about the show: “What do you want to do before you die?” MTV might not be for everyone, but I find this show to be worth watching. It inspires me to want to achieve my goals and dreams before I die whether they are silly, serious, something simple, and or just a random thought. If I could help a stranger out with the resources that I have then I know that I’m living the good life because I’m giving back to make a difference in someone’s life and perhaps this is apart of my purpose.</p> <p>In a sense, if the guys in the television show can go complete things off their list and help a stranger out in each episode, then I’m sure I can accomplish the goal of becoming a teacher. Perhaps at this point this is what I’m questioning myself about whether I want to continue to be a teacher or not. Since the third grade, I’ve said that I wanted to be an English teacher. Throughout my years in school, I have had the privilege to be taught by teachers that have really cared about educating me and hundreds of other students to come to class and learn; to be a productive citizen of this country. They all have been encouraging educators.</p> <p>In my family and some of my friendships, I’m known as the one that will become the teacher or the college professor of English. Past experiences in high school deepened my interest in teaching; however, I usually have second thoughts about being a teacher. I’m not sure if I want to teach public schools or venture into writing or a career in some other career. But I can’t imagine myself not teaching <i>something</i>. Never the less, I want to be like the teacher, Erin Gruwell in <i>Freedom Writers</i>. She was brave enough to teach those inner-city students who came from different ethic background and knew nothing when they stepped into her classroom. No matter what happened to her and the students, through all obstacles, she never gave up with giving them a well rounded education. That ambition inspire me to become a teacher because there are students that are needing to be taught and school systems are lacking teachers since not many people want to join the teaching field. But someone has to do it. To change the way students are taught and making a difference in someone’s life matters.</p> <p>What I’ve said so far matters to me. It’s a side where you have to get to know me because I don’t reveal or talk about myself much. I totally don’t care if I get the look or that doubt that I can’t be a person that can help change the world. I shouldn’t care but I do. And I don’t know why I care so much, but I do. I may feel like I’m in a world of my own with dreams of wanting to be a person of change, an educator, a person who wants to leave in a society where people can just live without no worries or problems, people should live in the country where the laws are to help and not to bring people down. I daydream a lot, and I think of big dreams. Sometimes I feel like they are dreams bigger than my shoe size. I want to change the way people may look at me, not that what they think matters, but I want them to think of me as I want them to be. I want to make friends that will always be my friends. People change and so do their agendas. It appears that nothing stays the change. Just maybe we just drifted off into our own lives and never thought about one another and checking in to them to see how they are doing in life. Sometimes meeting strangers and having conversations with them can lead to new friendships. I don’t want any more people I know becoming people I knew. </p> <p>“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—<a name="18"></a></p> <p>I took the one less traveled by,<a name="19"></a></p> <p>And that has made all the difference.”</p> <p>-- Robert Frost</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-20085688793000087772010-09-26T06:06:00.001-05:002010-09-26T06:06:15.051-05:00So I Need to Vent<p>So I have not been myself lately. I usually don't like venting...but I got to some feelings/emotions/stress to release. Trying to keep up with all the homework and assignments given in school and staying focus. I gotta get back on track. Its not like me to fall off the path of success... Often times I may not talk to everything to people. I tend to frequently keep things to myself...but it depends on the situation and if I need to speak up. Sometimes I don't even bother. So much goes on through my mind, that I don't even really care to share. I try my best not to be a burden to people. I try not to bother people for whatever reason. People seem so busy these days. I don't think they got time; time has them!</p> <p>I don't know if that's good or bad. I've been spacing out and pretty much been preoccupied. I'm pretty much paying attention to where I'm going rather than where I came from! I'm thankful for those that I've gotten to know and even still know them. Its the simple things that matter. Sometimes people we know become people we knew. Those that I do know and once knew, I still think about them, wondering what they are doing in life. That's what people, friends, associates, etc, are supposed to do right? Or maybe I'm just being too nice. Perhaps to some agree people may feel the same or beg to differ.</p> <p>Okay, so I'm different than most people I know and associate with on some basis. Being different with commonalities is cool because it won't be any fun if we were all the same. I don't set myself apart from others. Rather I'm just being myself. Yep.. just Kelvin! Okay. So maybe there are some things I need to work on about myself. I'm not too keen when it comes to socializing and meeting and greeting people. But that shouldn't be too big of a factor, right?...I don't really talk with a lot of people. Barely get text or phone call...maybe they forgot about me and find time to talk with others. Or even maybe it is just me over thinking things. I do talk on the phone sometimes...if I have something to say or need to for necessary reasons. I'm always thinking about things and trying to tighten up any loose screws in the head. I try not to go insane in the membrane! I try to keep things simple; and making such things not so complicated like I normally do. Sometimes behind the smile you never know what is going on in a person's life. Its the simple small talk, or a smile, or a text, phone call, or something that can make a difference's in someone day or even bring a smile on their face...</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-59858414967605262212010-05-12T23:46:00.001-05:002010-05-13T00:20:44.029-05:00To Be an Individual<blockquote> <p><i><a href="http://www.quoteland.com/author.asp?AUTHOR_ID=67"></a></i></p> <p>And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in all the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. – John Steinbeck</p> </blockquote> <p>To be an individual… means having personality; differentiating yourself from the others. Often times we all want people to befriend and network that stand out amongst the crowd. We have too many followers in this world. Half of the time they are not following for the good reasons but for the things that they are after  that are often associated with the in-crowd, the popular people, the overrated social constructions. No, I’m not saying that everything is constructed by people turns out to be bad. Rather simply saying that don’t be a second version of someone else. What I’m saying is that it tiring to see people become like others as if they are those “so called reality shows” and other programs that air on television that end up having a spin-off show. To be an individual means living an autonomous life. I may not be the person with the most to say, but I have something to say. </p> <p>Any type of corruption in this country is what the individual seeks to make nonexistent. Every day some group of people are fighting for some sort of freedom to live their own lives in which the government should have less interference. In modern terms, to be yourself in America is the best thing. We need diverse people (not just by natural color), but by the means of exchanging similar or differ ideas, beliefs, moral values, personality, leadership, and bringing all that we have to the table. As people with minds of our own should we not have open minds and reject the perspective of our friends and family, we should learn to “agree to disagree.” True enough we may not all agree on the same thing, but common ground needs to be made. To be our own selves is to be awesome. That means we are enjoying life and making the best of everything, and putting our best foot forward. Whatever we do whether it is an art project, writing, blogging, creating some service, and what have you, the first thing you <em>may</em> tend to add your personality to it. That uniqueness to make whatever you are working on stand out amongst the other similar blogs, writings, services, etc. We all are inspired some way or some how to make life valuable. We accept those challenges and opportunities that will make us all individuals that can work together in such a diverse society. </p> <p>And when you become individual and figure yourself out, then the changes will be noticed by family and friends. You may end up influencing other people. So much is happening these days that it seems like the truth is hidden and some one around the globe that just want things to be better. Those “things” could be the government -national and local- and even in the education field. We all have own plans (dreams) that we want to purse. Some may not be realistic as most, but it is valuable to be productive in whatever you are doing (hopefully, it is something good and not bad). </p> <p>Take this post however you want…</p> <p>To be an individual…</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Community Discussion <br /></strong> What makes us who we are? What is your ‘ultimate’ goal in life? Have you ever felt the need to just be quiet and observe? What do you value most in life? What makes a community? Have you ever felt the nee to just be quiet and observe what is happening around you? As always your thoughts and comments are welcome below. </p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-76411606217142777782010-02-24T19:52:00.001-06:002010-02-24T20:02:11.105-06:00A Gendered Society: Gender Roles in Education<p><font color="#0000a0">So here’s an outline of a chapter that we are assigned to do in my Sociology of Gender class. We are assigned into book groups and there are four textbooks. And we each read a chapter from the book that we have chosen according to the group we are in. So I joined a  group, read the chapter and created an outline. Then we will present it to the class for a grade as well as class discussion. I believe that this is great information since I do believe what it says is true and that this happens on college campuses and in middle and high schools.</font><font color="#0000a0">Seems like gender is everything in America.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000a0">This first part talks about students and their educational experiences. The second part talks about the faculty of colleges and what their role and expectations are for each gender. However, I only provide the first part of the chapter and the outline below.</font></p> <p>Book: <em>Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture <br /></em>Author: Julia T. Wood</p> <p><font size="2">Chapter 8: “Gendered Education: Communication in Schools”</font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">I.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">        </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Gendered Expectations and Pressures Facing Students</font><u><font size="2"> </font></u> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </span></p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">A.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">To understand the gendered education system that exists today there are three gendered dynamics that plays as a role in today schools; especially on college campuses. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Academics: Both males and females encounter with the gendered expectations and pressure from the time they enter kindergarten all the way through graduate and professional school. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Males </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">The author points out that in younger grades, the learning environment is feminine since the adult females outnumber the male teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Boys tend to have more physical energy and less impulse to control themselves as they try to adjust to the classroom setting </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Males are behind in reading and verbal skills and females are more likely to achieve such skills faster. Furthermore, females are more likely to succeed academically whereas 33% of males are likely to drop out. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">After high school, females are 22% more likely than males to plan to attend college. Today women make up 58% of students in two- and four- year colleges. Minority women are twice as likely to as minority men to earn college degrees. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Choices of how to spend time whether studying or doing extracurricular activities plays an important role of both genders level of accomplishment. In schools, they discourage boys and men to develop traditional feminine skills such as caring for others and entering fields traditional for women. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">5.</font><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman""><font size="2">      </font></span></span></span></font><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Sex combine with race can help cause disadvantages for some male students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Low expectations towards African American males are communicated from the teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>They are targets of teacher disapproval and unfavorable treatment than their white peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Therefore, African American males drop out in higher numbers than white males or females of any race.</font></span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Females </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Women are faced with the bias and barrier of being less skilled in the field of math and science education that could decrease them getting a career in said fields. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Faculty and their peers feel as if they are less able than males in the fields. Women earn 22.6% of undergrad degrees in physics but only 15.5% of doctorates. They earn nearly half of undergrad degrees in mathematics and less than that in getting doctorates. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Cultural stereotype of femininity do not include women being skilled in science and math; therefore they are being disapproved are judged incompetent if not extremely successful and perceived as cold, selfish, and manipulative, and not liked they are successful. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Sex-related differences in the brain allow males to have slight edge in math and science skills than females. Males are likely to be encouraged to peruse careers in these fields and females should have careers that involved being interacted with people. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">           </span>B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Gender-Stereotyped Curricula </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Gender stereotype still exist in the curriculum in schools. For instance, history is taught and only males are the spotlight of lessons and very seldom are the women are noted to their contributions. This is like a lesson that talks about war battles and military leaders. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">When women are mentioned in the curricular they fall under two categories: </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 189pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 189.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">       </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">The women who fit traditional stereotypes of women: For example Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 189pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 189.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Women highlighted in curricula distinguished themselves on men’s term and in masculine contexts: Mother Jones was a powerful organizer for unions. Women in this category tend to represent as exceptional cases or remain hidden. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">1974: Researches identify a hidden curriculum that reflects gender stereotypes and sustain gender inequities by giving less attention and encouragement to female students than to white male students. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Historical events are taught in terms of what men did and their effects rather than highlighting the women. They neglect their impact on women and minorities. The major events are not taught on how women gained more opportunities, were considered inferior because they were assumed to have limited capacity to reason and how the Industrial Revolution changed women’s lives, work, and relationships with their husbands. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Sexism in education intersects in the other forms of discrimination such as racism, classism, and heterosexism. Certain males are presented as the standard typical white, heterosexual, able-bodied, middle- and upper-class men as the norm in textbooks. Women and minorities are still underrepresented in educational materials. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Not only do students learn just only about men and their experiences and perspectives, but they deprived of learning about women and their experiences and contributions to the world. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">               C. Athletics </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Today females to have plenty of opportunities to participate in sports due to Title IX. This the section of the Educational Amendment of 1972 that makes it illegal for schools that accept federal funds to discriminate on the basis of sex. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Though this is really great, male athletes and coaches of men’s teams receive more support (and financially, too) than female athletes and coaches. Also, the numbers of female athletes have no increased evenly. Only 41% athletes are female and 58% of undergrads are females. And before the passing of Title IX, more than 90% of coaches of women’s sports were women. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Division I colleges pay male coaches more than women coaches and a few women’s sports are actually coached by women. Originally the law required schools that receive federal funds to provide equal opportunities to female and male students to participate in intercollegiate competition. To meet this requirement, most schools had to show evidence that their programs accommodate both male and female students’ interests and abilities. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">In 2005 a court case of this law stated that all colleges had to send students a survey and one even by e-mail about their athletic interests and abilities. If they don’t reply it was assumed that they were satisfied with the present policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>A lot of questions were raised by critics of the new ruling. They worry that not all non-responses indicate satisfaction with athletic opportunities on campus. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">                     D. Gender Socialization in Peer Cultures </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Once children begin to interact with other children, peers exercise strong influence on gender attitudes and identities. The culture of most campuses today put gendered pressures both men and women. This is the case since men are encouraged to conform to social views of masculinity, and women to social views of femininity. College campus is a training ground for adult gender and peer groups are for socialization. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Males are much more insistent that boys do boy things than females are that girls do girl things. Boys learn that in order to fit in they have to be strong though, and aggressive. If they are not up to this standard they are insulted with phrases such as “You’re a sissy!” They are not to show any signs of femininity. The cultural message that masculine is more valuable than feminine: Boys may not act feminine, but girls may act masculine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Male bonding reinforces masculine identification in most boys </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Males are often engage in drinking and sexual activity to demonstrate their masculinity; especially fraternity brothers. The frat brothers embody extreme versions of masculinity wit heavy drinking, having sex with many women as possible, and talking about women in demeaning ways. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Girls often make fun of or bully other girls that may not wear popular name bran clothes or weigh more than what is ideal. Fitting in with the popular crowd is a cornerstone of self-esteem. Children and adolescents do whatever it takes to get approved and acceptance of their peers. </font></span> <p><font size="2"></font></p> </p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 153pt; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 153.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: cambria"><span style="mso-list: ignore"><font size="2">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></font></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: cambria"><font size="2">Women feel compelled to achieve effortless perfection which is the need to be beautiful, fit, popular, smart, and accomplished without any visible effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Some college faculty treats women students in gender-stereotyped way such as compliments on appearance instead of their academic work to offers of higher grades for sexual favors. </font></span></p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-29088670239310990032010-02-18T18:56:00.001-06:002010-02-18T18:56:35.982-06:00Social Linguistics<p><em>According to the </em><a href="http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/cal00001.html" target="_blank"><em>journal article</em></a><em>, “Sociolinguistics is the study of language as a social and cultural phenomenon.”  Sociolinguists make a definite distinction between DESCRIPTIVE and PRESCRIPTIVE grammar.</em>  </p> <p>Descriptive grammar is more a type of informal language since it does not really focus on strict rules in different ways in the language of grammar and language. With this in mind, this type of grammar is generally use with writers and speakers in according to exactly the way a sentence is structure, the use of grammar, and not whether the words and sentences are structured correctly with meaning. Descriptive grammar is understood to be our natural language, regular speech. The nonstandard use of English can be stated in the example in casual chat. For example, two students are using slang while having a conversation that shows or gives away their social or cultural status. In other words, this is a good example because not every person may use the Standard English to which the conversation can be used to understand language. <br /> <br />On the other hand, prescriptive grammar is known as the proper English because a person must know the set of rules dealing with the structure and meaning of sentences and language. Linguists believe that prescriptive English have rules that define what is correct and incorrect. <br />Unlike descriptive grammar where you are able to use it at anytime in different settings, prescriptive grammar is the type of structure English (Standard English) that people should be using. If you think about it, this type of grammar is very similar to what is taught in schools. An example that shows how prescriptive grammar is used can be related to job interviews. This is a good reason because the people that will be hiring the applicant will be expecting the person to know important and correct grammar and not using slang or incorrect English. Also, importantly the dress code will give off the vibe about your job status or personality. With the use of prescriptive grammar and knowing that it should be used in job interviews or formal settings, it will help. </p> <p><em>There is much debate currently going on in the Nashville area regarding the “English Only” debate. Historically, increased levels of immigration have given rise to concerns about English as an official language.  What traditionally has happened to the heritage language of first and second generation Americans? </em></p> <p>I would have to say that the languages they are popular in the respective country should be on a societal scale and also those other languages that may not be known but are in this country. That is, have information and provide every language be given support in every aspect of life. Although English is the language of the United States, it is not official, but to continue to go on with the belief of the country being a melting pot of all cultures, we should not leave anyone out. There are so many languages, but every language that is spoken should be supported. You often see the different product manuals in different languages and in most cases every other thing in Spanish and then maybe French. I remember writing an essay in English 1010 about this issue and I forgot which side I had supported, but it may have been that English should be the official language (I still have a copy of the essay). Nevertheless, I guess the as this country advances, people will reflect on how the past was and how things are now; comparing and contrasting the way of life. Sometimes the heritage language may die out or be overlooked because of other popular languages. In some cases first and second generation Americans could lose their identity or feel as if they did because of how this country is advancing. They think their language is fading away and everyone is being Americanized and the trends are starting up and that they may be left behind. </p> <p><em>Briefly describe your idiolect.  Where are you from?  What unique vocabulary do you use?</em>  <br /> <br />I have lived here in Memphis now for a good handful of years; however, I am originally from St. Louis. I say that my idiolect is somewhat different than my peers and those in my age range. I will have to say that often time people may not understand what I am saying because I am talking at a rate to where I sometimes say words not fully or I have problems pronouncing certain words since I did to go speech classes in elementary. I guess the vocabulary I use may not be words or language people around my age may not use and use words such a “nifty” and “totally wicked.” Also my favorite word is “pragmatic” which may slip in conversations. Certainly, I my idiolect is could be distinctive different from others.</p> <p><em>How is <u>dialect</u> different from <u>accent</u>?</em>  <br /> <br />Dialect is different from accent because to do with the style of language of a person or group of people. It deals with the use of vocabulary, grammar, common words, and the way you speak. On the other hand, accent deals with the way someone pronounces words and the sound of their speaking. Accent (the way speech sounds from a particular person) helps to give someone their unique speaking tone or characteristics. Dialect is the way you deals with language and vocabulary; meaning whereas accent deal with sound and pronunciations. </p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-23638384805941868332010-02-17T11:40:00.001-06:002010-02-17T11:40:23.712-06:00Mexican Americans<p>The United States is known as the melting pot because of all the vast amount of people from different racial groups and ethnical backgrounds. There are also different type of systems in our country – government, education, healthcare, and societal rankings of people. As more international people come from other countries and into the United States they have to adapt to the American way of living how the systems work here. One of the largest subordinate groups, Mexican Americans, is known to have different stereotypical views against them, being employed with jobs that have low pay wages that someone else may not want, the group that have big families with a lot of kids, and they are also viewed as immigrants as they assimilate into a foreign culture and lifestyle in this country. </p> <p>Mexican Americans are known as immigrants because of the economical and political conditions in their county that creates a driving force that they can no longer withstand that causes them to immigrate to the United States. After the Spaniards try to conquer what is known as Mexico and the southwestern part of the U.S., Mexico won their independence as a country from Spain in 1821. Anglo-American immigrants moved to what is not as Texas once this happened and adapted to the Mexican lifestyle. Before Mexico won its independence from Spain, the Spaniards wanted to take over the country for the reasons of agricultural and mining businesses would make money (J. Feagin and C. Feagin, 173). </p> <p>Mexican immigrants have always lived or came to the United States, dating back to 118,000 during the 1850s. Unlike to the English colonists moving into the land of Native American territory to take over and impose their culture onto the Native Americans, presently Mexican Americans migrated to the United States because they voluntarily wanted to move into a country because of number of different factors such as poor economic system, lack of education, jobs are scare and political conflicts. And they sought this country for better way of living and possible to have a job. To them America is the land of dreams and opportunities. </p> <p>The peak immigration periods have been 1910-1930, 1942-1954, and 1965 to the present. Today, 54 percent of immigrants from Latin America live in the U.S and then there 31 percent of Mexicans-born immigrants that are included with the foreign-born population (Tomas, 93). The effect of the living conditions that push Mexican Americans from their own country such as Mexico, for example, has caused many illegal immigrants to find a way to cross the borders. These are immigrants who are undocumented. However, not immigrant come to the United States by cheating the system, you have the immigrants who are official citizens and have Green Cards. </p> <p>On the opposite scale of Mexicans being known as immigrants unlike most other racial groups, some Mexicans are over here to work and send money back to their family from Mexico. For example, in 1942, the Emergency Farm Labor granted many Mexicans work permits at the employers request; however, this helped for more documented immigrants to come to the country. Today we see many Mexicans working at fast good restaurants and doing other small jobs that plays a part in lives every day that no one else may not want to do. Often times Mexicans are grateful to be able to work and make money. Congress passed an act in 1996 that restricting legal immigration and undocumented immigration called the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (J. Feagin and C. Feagin, 177). Today Mexican immigration occupies a hot topic in the U.S. legal system and in U.S. public opinion.</p> <p>---------</p> <p>Work Cite</p> <p>Feagin, Joe, and Clairece Feagin. <i>Racial and Ethnics Relations</i>. 2nd Custom Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2008. </p> <p>Tomás, Jiménez. "What Different Generations of Mexican Americans Think About Immigration from Mexico." <i>Generations</i> 32.4 (2009): 93-96. Web. 6 Dec 2009.</p> <p>Englekirk , Allan, and Marguerite Marín. "Mexican Americans." <i>Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America</i>. 2nd ed. vol. 2. Detroit: Gale Group, 2000. </p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-84432489624897591502010-02-15T04:01:00.001-06:002010-02-15T04:01:29.135-06:00My 22nd Birthday is TODAY!!<p>It’s my birthday… my 22nd birthday! I’m so grateful to be turning (or have turned) 22 years old. I can not believe that I at <em>that age. </em>Put your Mr. Rogers sweater on because it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and a cold one at that. Happy birthday to me!!</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-7241433473589962162010-01-04T18:02:00.001-06:002010-01-07T20:12:25.586-06:00Book Giveaway!! “Conversations: Find Your Niche”<p>Hello! Hello! I’m proud to announce this great book giveaway. This first of its kind and the first to be on this blog as well. What a way to start the New Year by winning a book  for yourself or give it to a friend or family member. You just might need it one day. Winning free stuff is fun, right? Of course it is! So this giveaway is for those who may need that book that will help you or someone else find that right job that you have been seeking or just want to know the jobs other people like you have for a living. This contests will last for <em>TWO WEEKS!! </em>That is a lot of time to enter the contest and spread the word around to everyone you know. More than enough chances to enter the contest this contest and win a cool book! So now on to the contest details…</p> <p> </p> <p><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ52mEm9ywOLt02O6LeNpMAMuuBCTODm1SNwel9B5pZ5XwABG9lFfsz2LZGz3PJ2uhovwhr27UwpdIAVl2oVUGkb_fBHHuQIOqFkXGLZSbQbZ8IRigWeQ4VloaJwfC7Hy32QZpPxmfZGgW/s1600-h/BookCover%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="BookCover" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="240" alt="BookCover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2MyOwISFgNaF6PcUBaVu2A8euAd4YWMMvX9eWXWNpunUR9zPaaHYRSSj06e4B2MIHXn4A52yEp3OEhdLRhXd7zTR7ZNF8zWkHLQ_AjqO5MCe8f4cKqmaZFTVeN2hACdBD5nJl0N5rYL/?imgmax=800" width="185" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://keeperpress.com" target="_blank">Conversations: Find Your Niche!</a> </i></b></p> <p><b>Editor: Van Twelves</b></p> <p>This book is the ultimate tool to help you decide on a career that’s right for you! Here are the three key tools that can help that are ALL included in Conversations: Find Your Niche! </p> <ol> <li>A demonstrated research and decision-making procedure called the <i>Find Your Niche Roadmap</i> </li> <li>Focused, in-depth interviews with 150 working professionals from the full spectrum of career fields about the nature of their jobs all in a fun, conversational format </li> <li>Six special appendices offering you an invaluable collection of critical career information and hard to find resources that will save you months of research </li> </ol> <p><b></b></p> <p><b></b></p> <p><em>How to Enter <br /></em></p> <p><b>WIN this FREE BOOK</b> by simply commenting on this post below.  You must do this first step to enter the giveaway.  Be sure to include your first name and last name initial.</p> <p><b>You can earn optional, additional entries by:</b> <br />- Following <a href="http://twitter.com/KeeperPress" target="_blank">KeeperPress</a> on Twitter and tweeting about this giveaway. You may do this twice a day. Leave a separate comment with the URL of each tweet.   <br />- Putting a link to our <em>book </em>on your blog roll ( <a href="http://www.KeeperPress.com"><u>www.KeeperPress.com</u></a> ).  Post a comment with your blog’s URL. <br />-Putting a link to our <em>blog</em> on your blog roll (<a href="http://www.CareerDecisionsMadeEasy.blogspot.com"><u>www.CareerDecisionsMadeEasy.blogspot.com</u></a>).  Post a comment with your blog’s URL.  <br />- Posting this giveaway on your blog with a link to this giveaway post. Leave a comment with a direct link to the post. <br />-Become a fan of <i>Conversations: Find Your Niche</i> on Facebook.  Post a comment.</p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b>One winners will be randomly selected from the qualified comments received by Sunday, January 17, 2010, at midnight ET.</b></p> <p><u>Please leave an <strong>email address</strong> when you are posting your comment(s ) if it’s not available on your Blogger profile. Winner must respond within 72 hours or another winner will be drawn. U.S. addresses only.</u></p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-89973870362164995132010-01-02T03:08:00.002-06:002010-01-02T22:41:51.608-06:00A New Year. It’s 2010!<h5>Happy New Year!! It's 2010. Amazing. Look out because I'm stronger, bolder, bigger & better like never before!</h5> <p>This is my first post for New Year 2010! I <em>still</em> find it amazing to write and say the the dates with the new dated suffix 2010. Unlike 2009, 2010 has a special ring to it. In some ways it means something. And later this month, I will mark my 2 years of blogging. How cool is that!?! I believe that this year we are opening new chapters, creating new books. The pages of either one are blank, but we are the ones that will put the words in the chapters and books. I have not really made any new year resolutions. I never have in the past few years. However, this year I want to continue to be the person I intend to be in every aspect of my life – socially, physically, mentally and academically as I continue my collegiate years at the Univ. of Memphis. I want to continue to be the better person that I’m striving to become. I don’t really do resolutions because I tend to see them as goals that I may not realistically meet. However, it would not hurt to even attempt to accomplish the resolutions if I were to make any. </p> <p>I read somewhere online about someone making the statement that it is a new year, but same problems that normally happen. Maybe it is true… maybe its false, but anyway it matters I believe that it is a new leaf for everyone. I can’t imagine what could happen this year, but I can imagine the music that will be dropped by different artists and the awesome movies that will come out. Maybe a few sequels to come that have already been made or even some that will rock our socks off. Anyway it goes, entertainment is always on the rise on all level imagine. Next month I will be turning 22. That is exciting for me. A year older, but yet I’m still in my “youthful era.” All in all I believe everyone is exciting for it to be a new year and a new month. </p> <p>As I conclude this first post for the year and the month, happy new year to each and every one of you!</p>Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-86997269643426171462009-12-27T22:14:00.002-06:002010-01-02T22:41:32.060-06:00Just Some Thoughts<p>Sorry I am on my soapbox again. It can be true or be evident that we do good things at our greatest and best work when we are inspire to do what we are passionate about. If you are passionate about something, then it will show and others will notice. And if not in most cases, in some cases, we may not do well under pressure or certain circumstances. Other times what we do comes natural. There is something special for each of us. This reminds me of that famous poem by Robert Frost that tells us that we should take the path not taken instead of the one that has been walked on before us. Then we should not go where the path led us but instead leave a trail. </p> <blockquote> <p>The reason why the world lacks unity, and lies broken and in heaps, is, because man is disunited with himself. – Ralph Waldo Emerson</p> </blockquote> <p>I think in 2010, a wonderful resolution is evolve into the person we intend to be. I think that will be a good one for me to accomplish in my social, academic and personal life. It’s not often I jump on my soapbox, but I felt like that this is something I need to tell someone… for my sake and to let others that they are not alone. I always feel like I want to give up and throw the town in, but I always keep my head up and remember why I’m going through certain situations. But at times I just dislike when people are not real. I mean they seem like they aren’t themselves…maybe they have to put on another persona in front of all the fame and fortunate, but up close and personal they may just be a different person. Hhmmm… knows because I don’t surely do not. Often times I want to go the place where I belong. I like that song <em>Home</em> by Daughtry. The band has pretty good songs. But I’ve heard the popular ones and not the ones that are not played from the rest of their albums. And I also think it would be sweet for me to find that special person next year. Yep. I have been riding the single train. And on the train are other people single, too, but I have not met the match yet, but I am sure that will change sometime soon. I don’t have nothing else to do so I decided to write and yes, I know, its long over due, but heck I had to give in from not writing. I was not purposely trying not to write, but there are days where I have those days. You know? I’m sure you have those days as well. </p>Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-86557858213458007372009-12-27T15:10:00.001-06:002009-12-27T15:10:26.065-06:00A Reflection of Some Sort<p>So this is a reflection…  The holiday that happens once a year, but the spirit that we have should occur ever day; not just observed on one day. The way some people act around Christmas, “I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month (Harlan Miller).” As every one counted down the days until they are able to spend time with family and give and receive presents of all sort. However, this year seems to be a bit different. Something about the season was a bit different, but I wasn’t a Scrooge nor the Grinch, but I was in the holiday spirit, but Christmas was different. Now that is just me… I don’t know how it was for you. Or maybe I just lost that state of mind this year. But Christmas really has felt very different this year.  However, never the less, since after Thanksgiving I have fallen in love with Christmas music. I don’t think you can be in the Christmas mood without the music. One of my favorite song is <em>Felize Navidad</em>. I will break out with that song in a heart beat. But sometimes the holidays can’t be too fun and charitable for everyone because less fortunate will be out on the their mischievous adventures robbing cars, people, and stores, for whatever presents they may have.</p> <blockquote> <p>Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day. – Helen Steiner Rice</p> </blockquote> <p>Similar to what they say about Thanksgiving that we should not be thankful for just that one day, but every day and throughout the year. I know that may sound cliché, but it is true. I’m learning that not everyone will have the same feeling or the way you have for the holidays. We are some days away from ending 2009 and celebrating the year 2010. I believe that this year has been such a year that I want to leave everything that happened in the past and look to the hills for the year 2010. I can not actually believe that it will be twenty-ten soon. That’s unimaginable to be saying. I am excited to see what surprises and things will happen next year. I know for a fact that I’m a bit thrilled to be turning 22 on February 15th. I don’t believe that I will be that old. I will be growing older, but growing up is a different story. And with the year comes the resolutions. I really don’t make any sort of resolutions.  Why make them if you can’t successfully fulfill them? I think to some extent they are overrated. I’m sure people will be making them if they have not started already. </p> <blockquote> <p>Ring out the old, ring in the new, <br />Ring, happy bells, across the snow: <br />The year is going, let him go; <br />Ring out the false, ring in the true. <br />- Lord Alfred Tennyson</p></blockquote> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-68172788781021795622009-11-28T09:55:00.001-06:002009-11-28T09:58:42.364-06:00‘Tis the Season to be Jolly<blockquote> <p>Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!  - Charles Dickens</p> </blockquote> <p>Ahh the holidays are here. Thanksgiving is one day of the year where we not only show our appreciation and gratitude for being alive, but for having such wonderful friends and loving family. It is usually said that we should not be not thankful just on Thanksgiving day, but every day. Students enjoy being out of school (and I’m really enjoying my break), Black Friday and the other holiday sales to encourage to buy, buy, buy everything for low prices (Christmas presents), the delicious food, cold weather, and memories occur doing the holiday season. I got so many text messages, and random ones, many Facebook statues, and blog posts all saying the same thing in different ways wishing people a happy holiday and showing how much they thank their family and friends for being in their lives. That is what Thanksgiving is about- thanks for giving and giving thanks to where it is due. I love the holidays; especially when it is cold and all the leaves on the ground. And I have started listening to Christmas music already since they play it on the soft rock radio station since November 12th. There is something about this time of the year that make me feel warm inside. I just love it.</p> <p>Christmas is the holiday that has a special meaning just as Thanksgiving does. Christmas brings together the family to one location to celebrate and find true meaning of the reason for the season. Presents are all unwrapped by the children and at young ages some may not think about the meaning of Christmas, but rather than getting toys. When we get together on this day, it brings back childhood memories for everyone. There is nothing like laughing and crying over the stories about different family members and maybe even some stories about you. I enjoy getting gifts, but now I can not seem to know what I want. So I really don’t tell people what I would like rather give me something where I can buy myself something. Gift cards, checks, money orders, cash are acceptable (laugh out loud). But really, I’ll be satisfied with whatever gift I may get and if I don’t get anything, then I will still be happy. Often times it is not all about receiving, but giving unto others-whether big or small-will show that someone care and truly that is just the right thing to do. For if someone can not make it for Christmas for some reason or another, we know they are with us in spirit and a phone or text message away. This is where technology intervenes to allow us to talk to those who are in great distance. </p> <p>If there is a friend or someone who may not be jolly during this season of Christmas, don’t be a Scrooge. Do something to show that you care and wish them a Merry Christmas or some sort of words of kindness. We should do all we can to help the homeless, being mindful, that some people act homeless because they can always go to a home and have a fancy car and we may not even know because they are on the street holding a sign. But just out of generosity and your heart, help someone out this Christmas. Yes, you may meet other people who want to be Scrooges, but that just may be their personality. They will be who they are and not let our kindness and theme of family and blessings in their way of not liking Christmas for one reason or another. We should not want to steal Christmas for others. These days people forget about Christmas and they go buy presents without even thinking about the season or the meaning. So through all the presents (entertainment wise), be thankful and let us not forget the reason for the season.</p> <blockquote> <p>And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. - Dr. Seuss</p></blockquote> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-85245034437179736752009-11-17T17:42:00.001-06:002009-11-17T17:42:47.838-06:005 Vaguely Helpful Tips to Writing an Amazing Guest Post<p><i>This is a guest post by Joshua A. DeLung.</i></p> <p>So, I’ve never met Kelvin Oliver — not in person, anyway. We’ve known each other online for quite some time now, though, and I suppose just the notion that I would refer to him as a “friend I have down in Memphis” might have been a bit absurd only a few years ago. But with the increasing popularity of social media (which has been popular among folks like Kelvin and I for years now), I think it’s becoming more and more common to consider people you’ve never met before, at least loosely, as friends. </p> <p>And why not? Friends are people we can bounce ideas off of, people we can turn to for advice, people with whom we can collaborate. So when Kelvin asked if I would consider a guest post for <i>Moments In Time</i>, I thought sure, why not, why wouldn’t I write guest post for that friend I have down in Memphis who coordinates a mean <a href="http://daretodreamthinkdo.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-synchroblogging-time.html" target="_blank">synchroblog</a>? </p> <p>But with writing a guest post comes the need for a topic. I mean, sure, part of guest blogging is an opportunity at shameless promotion of one’s own blog or agenda. But you just don’t want to come up in someone else’s audience and have those readers come away questioning the blog owner’s decision-making skills after you’ve supplied him or her with a dud of a post.</p> <p>Now, about that need for a topic…  oh yes, so here are five tips to a good guest blog post (I think that’s what I was getting at):</p> <p>1) Have a clever, insightful introduction that mentions the contemporary state of medium.</p> <p>2) Be sure that you promote the host’s blog in the nut paragraph, not your own! (Until, that is, the end of the guest post.)</p> <p>3) Pretend as though you were struggling to find a topic, just to keep readers on the edge of their seats (even though everyone knows writer’s block is something only experienced by people who aren’t really meant to be writers… the rest of us always have <i>something</i> to say, whether it has any value or not).</p> <p>4) Use a sort of how-to list because people probably will not read the rest of the post and will only scroll down to grab some quick tips anyway. (Caught you!)</p> <p>5) You should probably do some research about the audience of the blog on which you’re posting, chat with the blog owner about expectations, find something useful to say, include fun links, follow the style of the host blog and do a bunch of other technical hoopla. </p> <p>I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, readers of<i> Moments in Time</i>! Perhaps you found it helpful, entertaining or just plain confusing. Ciao!</p> <p><i>Joshua A. DeLung is the creator, owner and primary writer at </i><a href=" http://joshuadelung.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Relatively Journalizing</a><i>, where he writes about journalism, public relations, new media, life musings, sports and more. In addition, he also blogs for the <a href="http://www.eere.energy.gov/energyempowers" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Empowers</a></i> <i>Web site, which chronicles the personal stories of American people whose lives have been touched by energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies.</i></p> <p><i>The views, opinions and any other content created by Joshua A. DeLung on personal or social media sites do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government or any other entity and are not approved by or affiliated with those entities.</i></p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-2289343671589627462009-11-10T17:40:00.001-06:002009-11-10T17:40:25.439-06:00Written Thoughts<p>Often times it is a relief to sit down and write. Sometimes there are no words to describe how life is whether bad or good; hopefully the latter. Writing helps me a lot in the ways that I can express myself through words and sort of have a one-on-one talk with someone. I will say that this particular semester, there aren't really any words that can be used to describe it. One word can be unique, but that is not the word although I'll use it. College can be a journey of self-discovery. Exploring what we want to do, who we are, and being able to do just about anything. Whether or not someone attends a college or university, in whatever they do, they will something about what it is they do to be enjoyable and worthwhile in a way.I can attest to this because this semester (along with the stress and long nights and sleepless nights.. ups and downs), I'm finding out who I am and where I'm going in life.</p> <p> <br />Since being at the University, I've met some cool people, those that I admire (have not found too many of them), and the ones that set them apart in a group of their own. But all in all, we are here doing what we do for a reason. Maybe the dreams or goals that I aspire to achieve may be too big for me or often times maybe I may get the weird look or feedback of people thinking I may be crazy. I know not everyone wants to be a teacher and not everyone will feel the same way I do, but hey, that is just me. I know there are those who may not want think or dream the same things I do, but that is just me. Maybe I'm thinking about actually want to be person that wants change, but there are others who may not be on the same page. I am not the person I use to be, but I'm the person that is evolving to the person I want to be. Sometimes it is said to be the change you want to be and I don't know that not everything will change, but coming to the realization of true reality and the purpose is something to think about. </p> <p> <br />There is something I must remember is to stay positive, keep my faith and moral values at heart, and know the reason that I should not fall but keep on going. I didn't want to continue onto the University for nothing. I'm not wasting my time and money for nothing. There's a path I have decided to take and that's a path that is not taken.</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-25021140298022890302009-10-26T12:14:00.001-05:002009-10-26T12:24:23.895-05:00Hockey And Blogging Have More In Common Then You Think<p><em>Today is <a href="http://20sb.net" target="_blank">20 Something Bloggers</a> 6th Blog Swap. So, the members of the community who decided to participate has a partner. My partner is Jennie White, the writer of the blog <a href="http://generu.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Generation You</a>. So she is guest posting for me on today and kindly enough have written such an awesome post. Don’t forget to <a href="http://generu.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/195/" target="_blank">visit her blog to read my post</a>! Now presenting to you, today’s guest writer Jennie White! <br /></em></p> <p>Hi Guys, sorry, but this is not Kelvin! I am taking over <i>Moments in Time</i> on this fine Monday. Kelvin has been so generous and awesome to let me guest post over here and I am really excited about it. For about the past week, I’ve been exploring Kelvin’s blog, <i>Moments in Time</i>. I am sure you all know this by now, but our friend Kelvin here is a beautiful writer. He’s deep, descriptive, and thought provoking which are all crucial for a successful Blogger. In Kelvin’s most recent post, “The World of Blogging,” he talked about why he blogs and why blogging isn’t for the faint of heart. It got me thinking, why should <i>we </i>blog? </p> <p>Why is it important for us to twenty-somethings to sit down and pour out our thoughts on the Internet? We don’t blog to give our problems a microphone, we blog to connect to one another. I’ve “met” or connected with people from all over the world. I mean I am guest posting for Kelvin who lives in Tennessee! Kelvin and I probably would’ve never met had it not been for blogging. </p> <p>This might sound like a far out comparison, but I often like to compare bloggers to a hockey team. Often people don’t recognize why people blog. They don’t understand the commitment and passion that goes into blogging. Just like I’ve never really understood hockey players waking up at 4 am to skate in a freezing cold ice rink. Hockey players and bloggers alike have a deep routed passion and the support from their teammates or fellow bloggers is key. We keep showing up to our blogs and to the rink because we’re getting this high and rush from the support and feedback of our peers. </p> <p>Just like a hockey player, bloggers need to be tough. They need to show commitment and show passion. Use your blog to broadcast your commitment and passion. Who knows who will stumble upon it from Google one day? Commit yourself to your readers and your network; blogging is all about supporting one another. Your thoughts are more valuable if they’re out there, available for people to react, agree, and disagree. What good are your thoughts locked up inside that brain of yours? Trust me, we want to hear them! </p> <p>So yes, maybe I did just compare blogging to hockey, you’ve probably never heard that one before, but I really liked how in Kelvin’s post, “The World of Blogging,” he stressed the importance of staying committed to your blog. </p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-53568488969573943032009-10-22T19:38:00.001-05:002009-10-22T19:38:22.706-05:00The World of Blogging<p>So, I have not written anything lately in this space. On the brighter side, it will be the weekend and tomorrow is Friday! <a href="http://www.20sb.net/" target="_blank">20 Something Bloggers</a> sent out e-mails for their 6th 20SB Blog Swap to those who are participating, letting us know about our partners. This is my third time joining the fun and swapping posts with other bloggers. It’s a thrill to see what random person I will get partnered up with. So on next Monday, the 26th, you will get a chance to see Jennie’s (her blog is <a href="http://generu.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Generation You</a>) post on this blog and mine will be on hers.  You can find both of our (awesome) posts on next week! </p> <p> <br />I’m noticing a trend of comments from anonymous people. I’m not saying that there is nothing wrong with that, but I would like to know who they written by instead making a connection of the authors being random people. Sometimes I find it interesting to read comments from others. I would have to say that. But I think they tend to not want to be known. Sometimes I write things and not think, one some topics, about editing a post. Blogs… if you have one and most do, you have to make it your own. No matter what way you blog, in whatever writing style. It’s your account, your space, make it your own. I believe that a lot of people, from what I read from 20SB, have their own feelings and thoughts when it comes down to reading blogs. But I am not going to talk much in depth about blogging because I’m sure you may have read and talked with others all things blogging. People tend to blog for different reasons and you know the whole deal with that. I do tend to try to blog each week. Even more so I like the conversations and the comments that are left because they help to spark new ideas and perspectives. Not everyone read blogs will comment. Only when they feel needed to comment. There are conversations out there about people leaving useless comments that do not contribute to the conversations. Sometimes the comments may strike up a hardcore debate; whereas others just want to leave their remarks.</p> <p>You may be wondering exactly what I’m talking about. I’m really not talking about anything specific. Overall, blogging to me is like being able to write and keep an electronic journal publicly or privately-for yourself or those select people. I may not be a complete expert, but I will surely enough give you a best and complete answer to any question that may be asked. But I think my perspective of blogging has changed and still is changing.  From classroom blogging in the English Composition class to just continuing blogging on my own.It’s like almost everyone is blogging. Some have been blogging for 4 years while others have started within the last year or few months. I will say that blogging may not be for everyone. Some start off blogging, but then all of a sudden they stop writing and disappear. And this may happen to those who really have a unique style and we enjoy their blog. And the next thing we know, they stop posting and we only get the few posts that are still up to read and cherish. I even have seen this happen a few times. Where the good bloggers stop posting and I wonder where they have gone off to. <a href="http://johnonline.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Johnonline</a> has the statement “Blogging is not a habit. It’s a lifestyle” on this blog. I think that is quite interesting that he makes that statement. Could blogging be a lifestyle and not a habit? A hobby? Or something we think would be fun?</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-19761275447772729812009-10-10T11:19:00.001-05:002009-10-10T11:20:35.789-05:00Where Did He Go?<p>Well, you may notice that there has not been a post written in a couple of days, more so a week or two. Don’t worry, I have not fallen off the cliff of a mountain.. not yet at least (laughing out loud). But there will be a post soon. So much has been going on over the last few weeks and another week until Fall Break. Woohoo! I’m excited. I hope you all had a wonderful week and the weekend is going good for everyone. There have been a couple of guest bloggers that have accepted the invitation to guest blog for me. Sometimes the blogger needs a bit of creative boost and go away from the work space to muster up the next best thing to write about. To put the cap on this quick update post, here is a video for you to enjoy… It’s one of my favorite.</p> <p> </p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:c82162dc-6d9d-48d1-be64-bd64c3c24088" style="padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; width: 425px; padding-top: 0px"><div id="4cdbda7a-8159-4d96-a888-d29f255b70c1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19rG2CHvCQY" target="_new"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnD2IACGznztsZzwdm0sj7rPeG7x60SqwaFyWqShqVsYEfHMa58C8m3Hdl6vju-VEZBd8Xj590Y4MLr8mcw-D8-kqHBWv-M4_QZtW9k3q9Cu0ydSWvRqxwwjnGaRkWvLIXDL5ogXGy2LT/?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('4cdbda7a-8159-4d96-a888-d29f255b70c1'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/19rG2CHvCQY&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/19rG2CHvCQY&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-25331635805219627132009-09-27T07:55:00.001-05:002009-09-27T07:55:24.547-05:00Guest Post: Flying through Door #4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt18gn5WOb9xpnuScBrvfKSCdMz2FiqxsRLTwxtJdve7jUb7Shpad1uwojzNr9DXRItKxPOfjzMtOgED_9KaqIjVSq72FkGBHQcb_HbqUNJCB8YPKdbbSsw8VajIGMBjZYroEsWVoyzzs/s1600-h/468487548_9ef3642125.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385615292292983490" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 198px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt18gn5WOb9xpnuScBrvfKSCdMz2FiqxsRLTwxtJdve7jUb7Shpad1uwojzNr9DXRItKxPOfjzMtOgED_9KaqIjVSq72FkGBHQcb_HbqUNJCB8YPKdbbSsw8VajIGMBjZYroEsWVoyzzs/s320/468487548_9ef3642125.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's been awhile since I've sat down and watched TV. Maybe a year or so. But, from when I did, I remember a commercial for Audi. Clearly, this commercial was posed for the young, up-and-coming gen-y. If you don't remember the one, let me give you the run-down: <br /> <br />Behind a stark, stoic desk sat a stark, stoic man. In front of him: a younger man, much less comfortable in the office filled with deep mahogany furniture. <br /> <br />The elder of the two dogmatically laid out the other's life for him. <br /> <br />"You will attend one of these three [Ivy-league] Schools" <br /> <br />"You will enter one of these three [high-paying, upper-echelon] professions" <br /> <br />"You will drive one of these three luxury cars..." and, of course, this is when the Audi pulls up providing the perfect option #4. <br /> <br />What Audi did well was identify a foundational paradigm shift in the mindset of this generation: we're willing to take the chance behind door #4. We are making choices that dumbfound our elders, but seem natural to us, albeit a bit risky from time to time. But that's what excites us. We know this is our life, and we're set on living. <br /> <br />One year ago, I walked - or rather flew - through my door #4. I left the comfort of my hometown, my friends, family, managerial position in retail, roommates and culture to fly to the other side of the world and teach English in Taiwan for a year. <br /> <br />What I learned in that year I will carry with me the rest of my life. My view of culture (both mine and foreign), and my view of myself altered entirely. The details of how and what are chronicled on <a href="http://www.thetaiwandrift.blogspot.com/">my blog</a>, but I'm not here to bore you with that. <br /> <br />What I'm here to say is this: the rules of the game have changed. Door #4 is not only a more viable option, but a more accessible one. <br /> <br />On the rise in the US, and already widely accepted in much of Europe and Australia, is the <a href="http://lmgtfy.com/?q=gap+year">gap year</a>. This is the idea of taking a break from life and doing like I did: getting out. It's generally before entering university, after graduation, or occasionally in between (though the "adult gap year" is on the rise as well). <br /> <br />As the world gets smaller every day, and technology makes life and communication more mobile, leaving for a year (or 6 months, or a month) becomes easier. <br /> <br />There's increasing research that the "gap year" has unseen benefits that employers are taking notice from. <a href="http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13643981">Economist.com</a> reported on researchers finding an association between those who have lived abroad and an elevated level of creativity. <br /> <br />But here's my beef with the "gap year" mentality. It leaves the traveler with the idea that the year is a "break" from her/his life. <br /> <br />Let me tell you, that year is as much a part of your life as your 4 years in university. Or getting hired at your dream gig. <br /> <br />Over at The Drift, we have a saying: <span style="font-weight: bold">The Journey is the Destination.</span> <br /> <br />We've been programed to think our life is a succession of events: High School; University; Career; Family; Retirement; Death. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold">That's boring.</span> <br /> <br />Really. <br /> <br />If I can encourage readers to one thing, it's this: <span style="font-weight: bold">Don't be afraid to do something different. </span>Something you never thought you'd do. And when you do, remember what you do along the way to your "life goals (or "destinations")" is just as much of your life as those big events. Because Life isn't about the big events; life started yesterday, and yesterday is gone. Don't wait for some far off event to start living. <br /> <br />More than any point in history, any generation before us, the door on option number four has blown wide open. The rules of normalcy have changed, and the rise of information and technology have given us the keys to our life. Take them and use them. Find what you're passionate about through your door #4, then walk, no, fly through and live your life. <br /> <br />Because Life is a Journey, friends. And the Journey is the Destination. <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center">----------------- <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-style: italic">About the Author: After spending a year in Taiwan blogging at <a href="http://www.thetaiwandrift.blogspot.com">The Taiwan Drift</a>, Chase relocated himself back to sunny Southern California and relocated his blogging endeavors to <a href="http://www.chaseandre.com">ChaseAndre.com</a></span>. <span style="font-style: italic">Feel free to drop him a line on his blog or on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/chaseandre">Twitter</a>.</span> </div> </div> <span style="font-size: 85%"></span><span style="font-size: 85%"> <br />[Photo found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ben-zvan-photography/468487548/">here</a> through Flickr's Creative Common]</span> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-32607264948421556562009-09-26T18:48:00.001-05:002009-09-26T22:46:57.643-05:00Synchroblog Round Up: Super Powers, Something We All Want<p>So we all have now realized our own super power that we want for various reasons whether in a good way or a bad way. And for some there are many that can may want, but there is that certain one that will gives us that funk we need. Without further distractions, here’s a round-up of who participated in the Synchroblog this month. You see what each of them wanted as a super power if they had one. Go check them out and comment and do a bit of chit-chat. Mingle and meet new people!</p> <ul> <li>Miss Tiff’s choice of super power is the ability to read what others are thinking - “<a href="http://abitofmisstiff.blogspot.com/2009/09/if-i-had-super-power.html" target="_blank">If I had a Super Power</a>” [<a href="http://abitofmisstiff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Big of Miss Tiff</a>] </li> <li>Timoteo thinks the ability to have subtitles to see what people are really doing - “<a href="http://canadiandoubles.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/syncroblogging-or-subtitles-please-and-thank-you/" target="_blank">Synchroblogging or Subtitles? Please, and thank you</a>” [<a href="http://canadiandoubles.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Canadian Doubles</a>] </li> <li>Cybeel believes, with the use of imagination and closing the eyes, going to different places in the blink of an eye “<a href="http://scarlettwalk.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-wanna.html" target="_blank">i wanna</a>” [<a href="http://scarlettwalk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scarlett’s Walk</a>] </li> <li>Miss Lissy wants to teleport to different places and when certain situations arise - “<a href="http://collegesuitcase.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/teleportation/" target="_blank">Teleportation</a>” [<a href="http://collegesuitcase.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">College in a Suitcase</a>] </li> <li>Confessions of My Confusion would want to be a human lie detector in order to help those she loves – “<a href="http://confessionsofmyconfusion.blogspot.com/2009/09/super-power.html" target="_blank">A Super Power??</a>” [<a href="http://confessionsofmyconfusion.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Confessions of My Confusion</a>] </li> <li>Johnonline would want to the power of time and space manipulation - “<a href="http://johnonline.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/tense-if-i-had-a-superpower/" target="_blank">Tense: If I had a superpower</a>” [<a href="http://johnonline.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Life Inc.</a>] </li> <li>Alissa wants the power of flight to go green and save on gas and even helping to help those at her job - “<a href="http://thunkedandbefuddled.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/synchroblog-superpower-edition/" target="_blank">Synchroblog: Superpower edition</a>” [<a href="http://thunkedandbefuddled.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Thunked and Befuddled</a>] </li> <li>Joshua wants first grabs to have the power of highspeed flight - “<a href="http://joshuadelung.blogspot.com/2009/09/synchroblogging-4-if-i-had-superpower.html" target="_blank">Synchroblog 4: If I Had a Superpower</a>” [<a href="http://joshuadelung.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Relatively Journalizing</a>] </li> <li>Esther would want an UNDO option in life - [<a href="http://invisiblecrown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wearing an Invisible Crown</a>] </li> </ul> <p>If you participated and happened to be not on the list, let me know so you can be added. <br /> <br />Until next time… holla!</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-73740796578044672642009-09-23T18:01:00.001-05:002009-09-24T21:10:14.242-05:00Reality: I’m Just an Ordinary Person<p>We only got one world. Over the last few days I’ve been doing some thinking… thinking about everything that has been going on with me personally and other people. Is it okay to have the days where we can show sadness and not be all happy? Like those days where things may not be going so well? I mean sometimes I feel like I’m alone and what I’m thinking and experiencing, others may not be going through. Okay, I will admit that I had an unusual childhood and even my years in middle and high school had the good and bad experiences and people that I met. And I will say that half of the time though I’m smiling and seem so happy, deep somewhere, I’m not quite the way I appear. </p> <blockquote> <p>Well, I'm going home, back to the place where I belong <br />And where your love has always been enough for me <br />I'm not running from, no, I think you got me all wrong <br />I don't regret this life I chose for me <br />But these places and these faces are getting old <br />So I'm going home, well I'm going home <br /> <br /><em>Home</em> by Daughtry </p> </blockquote> <p>I’m just an ordinary person living the life of an average person. I mean sometimes I feel like I’m just in this world, but yet in a world of my own. This is reality. This where the line of growing up comes into play and maturing into adulthood. This or these depressive feelings of being overwhelmed because I can’t get any assignments done exists. The feelings of not being an average social person comes and goes. I mean what exactly does it take to express to everyone else to take it slow and not have a big ego. I guess I will have to say that I’m not living the life… pretending that everything is alright, but it’s not. </p> <p>My heart goes out to those who may be on the wrong path in life. Sometimes I feel like telling people to be themselves and let me be me. Other times I feel like I have done something wrong because I didn’t save a person’s life? There’s so much helping I can offer to everyone. All I ask is to give me a chance. I do apologize for such post, but I feel like these feeling and thoughts must be released. Released by the method of writing. Things should not go in the direction of societal expectations because it will only make things worse for a person. I rather not go with the crowd but in a path of my own. <br /> <br />As Frost’s poem goes, we should take the path less taken. This reminds of the quote on being a leader. It’s not a position but an action. Far too many people want to be leaders but they are not showing action (by the way which is a verb!). They just want the title of being a leader because it looks good on their resume. I hear that a lot. It’s like a newly found cliché. I, again, apologize for spilling my guts. I feel that the expression and feelings and trueness of the writer of the blog should be known. It allows the friends to be closer to the writer if you ask me. This is reality. What is reality? Bring the REAL out of reality. Reality television is not really as it should be. It, the shows has script and all done in a studio in Hollywood or another great American city. If you want reality try going out with a camera and record your every day life. NOW THAT’S REALITY. <br /> <br />I feel like I kind of don’t belong. I feel alone and there’s a song that I can’t think of right now that mentions that there’s someone else that may be feeling the same. And we shouldn’t be feeling left out alone. I mean I’m just an ordinary person. Either people will like you or either they don’t. But all in all I feel that I shouldn’t have to do what others are doing and have almost the same interests as they do in order to make friends with them. I rather be at a place where I belong. Where is that place you may ask? I’m not quite sure. If you know of that place let me know. I’m a person on a mission to achieve life goals. I want to be able to be a person that can contribute to our society in one way or another. </p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-45228068635627208602009-09-19T12:06:00.001-05:002009-09-19T12:29:05.040-05:00And the Synchroblogging Topic Is…<p align="center"><font size="3">“If I Had a Super Power”</font></p> <p>Yep. That’s the topic. I wonder what I would if I had a superpower. One may not be enough, but it could also be safer than having multiple powers. What would your super power would be if you have one? Would you want to read the minds of others? Would you want drive a car that could fly everywhere to avoid traffic? How about being able to freeze time and rewind it like a video tape… or more like TiVo? If you had a superpower what would it be?</p> <p>A few notes: <br /></p> <ul> <li><strong>September 23</strong> is the day your post should be published! You should ink back to this post and post your link to your post. If not, then I will still find it and compile a list of some sort.</li> <li>You can take the topic and run with it in whatever manner you want. Whether you want to post pictures, do a video, or tell a creative story. The topic + you = one heck of an awesome post.</li> <li>Anyone is able to join the Synchroblogging. It’s all about having fun! Invite others to participate.</li> </ul> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-72670602461601391732009-09-16T18:25:00.001-05:002009-09-16T18:49:42.299-05:00Reality: The State of Being True<p><em>Note: This post contains my ideas and opinions that have not been released to the general public.</em></p> <blockquote> <h5 align="left">But, if you only have love for your own race <br />Then you only leave space to discriminate <br />And to discriminate only generates hate <br />And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah</h5> </blockquote> <p>Those are words to the song <em>Where is the Love</em> by the Black Eyed Peas. I think <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-KxLtol9yc&feature=related" target="_blank">you should go take a look</a> at the video because I think it is a song you should listen to and the images that are played throughout the video. I believe the video talks about the typical problems and issues that occur every day in the United States. This song is one of my favorite as well since I think it fits in with what goes on in my life and how people are mistreating each other whether within their own racial group or towards the others. I guess I can add education with this, too, because teachers and schooling is where children get influenced by their peers and they are typically what is right and what is wrong. It starts with the parents while they are raising their child. I mean being in college helps me to open up to the real world. The classes, the people, the overall experiences really effect students in several ways. But that’s a different story. <br /> <br />I feel the need to talk about this because I am always thinking about this but I don’t share it with others. Why? Because I know there are some people that may not be open to talking about culture, the racial state of the country and abroad. I do respect that and sometimes I don’t like talking about it depending on the approach of such issue. I think this is a song that helps express how I feel and my philosophical thinking. I guess sometimes I have to speak up and use my voice more often. Because I am in the background, being observant of everything that goes on in every day. <br /></p> <blockquote> <p>Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity <br />Whatever happened to the fairness and equality <br />Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity <br />Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity</p> </blockquote> <p> <br />Look at all the negative things that have happened-big or small. Recently, during the Music Video Awards, Kanye gets on stage and really hijack Taylor’s Swift acceptance speech. And then Pres. Obama calls him a jackass. He deserves that and then the apology on the Late Night show… I didn’t really find that sincere. Or maybe it was but he was just a bit tipsy when he messed up other people chances of wining. I mean the song that was nominated was country and I like it myself, but that was down right wrong. I don’t think that was right. What was going through his mind?? Does that fact that someone from “the outside” won an award that usually won by many of other obvious artists? His social behaviors and interactions could be a cause of that incident. At least that just an assumption. Where is the love? <br /> <br />Culture affects what we do and and the person we are. Ethnics are characteristics of culture that are distinguish by a group itself. Sometimes we have to practice what we preach. If I feel like I don’t like what is going on, I should try to speak up and do something. Other times I feel that people should so the same thing as well. If you don’t like what the government is doing with health care, do something about it. But then, the contradiction comes to play, that I’m just an ordinary person. What will little old me do to help solve a big issue. Sometimes you have to work your way up and then deal with issues on the smaller scale. Think about this: Does race matter when determining life chances? <br /> <br /><em>Song lyrics from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUDK4lRhafk&feature=related" target="_blank">Let Me Be Myself</a>" by 3 Doors Down</em></p> <blockquote> <p>I guess i just got lost being someone else, <br />I tried to kill the pain <br />But nothing ever helped <br />I left myself behind <br />Somewhere along the way <br />Hoping to come back around <br />and find myself some day</p> <p>Tell me please <br />Would you one time, <br />Let Me Be Myself <br />So I can shine, <br />with my own light <br />Let Me Be Myself</p> </blockquote> <p>Personally, sometimes I feel like I’m alone. I feel like I’m the only person that is not like many others (which is good) but I’m in a world of my own. But I’m still trying to figure out why I feel that way. Maybe because people I know and see every day may not have the same ideas and vision that I have and maybe I’m not like everyone else that do a lot of socializing. I’m trying to figure out myself every day. I guess that goes along with the rest of what this post is about, but then it may not. Not everyone will accept us for who we are. We all make all types of friends. That’s the best part of life. Making friends and hanging out with people that are really there whenever you need them and just people of common interest to talk to. Maybe because those are some close minded people that will not allow new ideas to be formed and allow them to look out the box. Sometimes all I ask is just listen and give chances to those who are capably of doing the job. Also, maybe we should let everyone allow themselves to shine. This world could be a lot better. Don’t you think? At least not better it will make progress and be different than it is now! <br /> <br />I remember when I went to California last summer and really got to experience life out of the city. And I will tell you that there’s so much outside of Memphis that some people may not even recognize. Some people have stayed in their city of origin for years and will not leave… not saying that should get up and move and it’s good they care about their city because we all should; especially the country as a whole. Think about this: Friends that you may have that are not native to the U.S., what do you think their reasons of moving here? What do you think about the international people talking about America and this is the best place to live. Again, this can be all good and yet they could also talk about Americans in a bad way. So there is a serious time to clean up everything that may not be what is best for the minority because the majority gets everything they want. <br /> <br />I made a note at the beginning of this post because what I have said in this post are things I think about through the week, but I never really told anyone nor had the urge to tell anyone. I guess it is not something I would say out of the blue unless I wanted to make conversation. Then, again I’m not too big to talk about said things unless it is needed. We aren’t mind readers so we can’t read what other people are thinking unless we ask them and then that will give an answer. Often times that can be the case and other times they choose not to share, but all in all we have to respect what they have to say because it is valuable. It can be useful because their thoughts can help reason out what may not be working and if anything needs changing to be restructured. If it is not broken, then don’t fix it. If you try, things may go wrong and get very messy.</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129974917576476697.post-829603612649571112009-09-13T07:25:00.001-05:002009-09-13T07:25:40.651-05:00Guest Post: Wanted: Girlfriend<p>It’s been so long that I’ve been single, in its strictest sense, in my life. I could give you a list of why I never had a girlfriend for that long but if I do that I would just give myself an excuse for not having one instead of being on active lookout. Seriously, too, I’m sick of fooling around, flirting with somebody and acting like a boyfriend but in reality I’m just a runner-up, a go-to person when the “cat” is away. It’s an emotional torture for me, though most of these girls do not know how I feel.</p> <p>Though I’m on a serious hunt for a girlfriend, I think it is not right for anybody to settle for the available of force yourself to like someone. It would be like playing around again, only you have the other party holding on to a make believe commitment. (But at times of desperation, I might believe the concept of learning to love a person with time, and to actually go for the one who is willing.) So it’s just proper to set a qualification, a minimum standard for someone you would go out with (though most of the time, the “love of our life” is the exception to the rule”). </p> <p>And since I have mention setting up or listing some qualifications for a future partner or just a girlfriend, I might as well list mine here. Okay, it’s such a cliché to include having a great body, perfect vital statistics and such in the list. I mean it’s already given that we would love to hook up with some we can be proud of and would love to spend our intimate moments with an amazing girl, so what’s the use of including those characteristics here. I’m not a very choosy or picky guy. I’m only looking for one great character of a girl- she has to be understanding. How understanding or how long her patience she has to have? Here’s my short list. </p> <ol> <li>First, she has to know that I’m a mama’s boy and my grandma’s favorite. I know sometimes it’s such a turn off but I great girl would understand that. She has to know that when my mom calls me up or my grandma starts to worry of my whereabouts, even if we are in the middle of our date, I have to bill out immediately and go back home the very minute I received the “bat call” or you’ll eat alone and pay our dinner. Okay, not really that quick, maybe after the dinner I would have to go immediately and cancel any further plans for the day/night. </li> <li>Second, she has to know that every now and then, I go out with my best buddy. Take note, my best buddy isn’t a dog or a guy. She’s Clarysse (Clark, for short) and you read it right- “she”. Well, I won’t really give her any reason to be jealous with Clark. I know where to draw lines and set priorities. Besides, my best friend has a boyfriend and we don’t really like to complicate things further. </li> <li>Next, she has to realize that I have a very delicate appetite. I only got a handful of vegetables that are edible to me so she has to have that list of mine. Chocolate bars are surprisingly bitter to my taste bud. But I only eat cakes and ice cream with chocolate flavor. That’s how complicated I can be. </li> <li>And finally, she has to know that I am a child at heart…and will always be. It’s not that I’m immature or that it will take more time for me to grow up. Because to tell you the truth, my being a childish is already a way of life to me, a personality that defines me. She has to live with it. She has to be very caring to me. Her attention must be centered to me as much as possible. I wanted to be spoiled. But I don’t want her to act like my mom or my grandma ‘coz I already got one. She just has to be loving to kids like me. </li> </ol> <p>Now you know how understanding she has to be. You may even conclude that the above are the reasons why I am still single. I won’t argue. But the above are really not that all inclusive. It’s not even a strict rule. Like what I said in the second item, I won’t give my girl any reason to be jealous or be mad. I know how to set priorities and to honor them. And more often than not, the girl we usually end up with are exceptions to the rule. Besides, I’m on a search for a girlfriend, not yet a wife.</p> <p>By the way, I’m John from the Philippines blogging at <a href="http://johnonline.wordpress.com/">Life Inc</a>. In case you’re curious about me or you want to apply, just tell Kelvin. He knows where to find me.</p> Kelvin Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14387828915820347760noreply@blogger.com11