Students in America lacking education

This article on the rankings of students in america and their educational level compared to other countries was really interesting to me. Who would have thought that america was the one who would be ranked 14th, behind Korea, Japan, and China. I can see how this would be taking into consideration their strict dicipline schedule and their devotion to education. I love that they have links in the story that are relevant and also a video that adds to the impact. I hope america does something about this, because i believe that we really need to put more of an emphasis on education and make it more of a priority.

Youtube Love letters

Are they serious with this story? I guess it kinda catches your attention, but this isn't news. I don't get how a story about how he made a youtube video for his girlfriend is in the news. It has links and the actual youtube clip available to just click and play if you want to watch it, which i did find helpful, but it just seems like a dumb news story. This guy made a youtube video so his girlfriend would find it "organically." It suprised me that this story made the news.

Haiti

On msnbc.com this web video is very impactful because it's about the cholera outbreak in Haiti but the reporter is actually in Port a prince and so the viewer can see exactly what's going on and how serious it is. I liked how when they first heard about the story they put something small together to get the word out, but as the information sufaced the story was told in more depth and had more footage so they added to it. I really like how the reporter used the visual aspects to tell the story. It was easy to access and when it was done i had the option of adding it to twitter, facebook, or other convergence outlets. The story tapped into the emotions by showing two children about to die so you felt connected to the story in some way.

Concussion in Kids

This article in USA Today isn't the strongest news story, but i really liked how they layed it out and presented it on the page. The story is about doctors who recently came out saying that athletic trainers should be present at each game and practice to protect the children and assess them right when they get hurt. I don't like how they kept sayting that they know this isn't possible but it would be a good goal. Why would you publish this is USA Today if you're not going to do anything about it. I did like however, how on the side of the story it defines what a concussion is and the side effects. Also, it had links at the bottom of stories that would be related to it. I really enjoyed it.

Cell Phone Danger

This article on the Times website was appealing to me because i have heard so much controversy around it. The article was about cell phones transmitting radio waves that are harmful to the body. I didn't know this but every cell phone has a warning not to put it close to the body, and you should have a holster so it's not close to the skin. This worries me a little! The thing i really liked about this webpage and the article was that each paragraph was broken up into subheads, and under each paragraph was a link to whatever they were talking about. If he gave an example of the i-phones warnings, there was a link to see exactly what it was. This is great because it makes the reporter more credible in my eyes if he can back up what he's writing about and has proven facts that he can show. I really liked how at the top of the article i could see how many people commented on facebook and twitter so i know how popular the story is. It's very well organized.

Forced Abortions?!

This story really tugged on my emotional heart strings. I read the original article about forced abortions in china on newser.com, but then there was a seperate link to this womans personal story. The poor thing was forced to have an abortion as they would call it, but the most disturbing thing is that she was 8 months pregnant at the time. To me, that's not abortion that's killing an innocent baby who's fully developed. The mother had no option to keep the baby because of their one child policy, and the fact that the website posted a video so the reader could actually see her and her husbands reaction was truly heartbreaking. This link was very beneficial because the reader not only gets the personal aspect of the story, but there are other links, pictures and video clips that make it very interactive. I like how the site is set up. It's very easy to navigate.

A Day In the Life of a Reporter

Stinky Feet

This article is about a girl who stabs a guy who makes fun of her stinky feet. I don't get why this would make the news. There's no realevance to anything. I can see that it's weird because she stabbed a guy for saying her feet smell, and the fact that she is 18. I don't get why she would be so aggressive over something so stupid. This is still not news worthy though.

A new kind of high

So I keep hearing about a new way to get high. I have personally never been high but it's called spice and it's an incense that people smoke. It has the same effects as getting high, however I have heard some crazy stories while people are on it. Some people who smoke spice committ suicide because it has adverse effects, or some guy just freaked out and shot a bunch of goats while he was high on it. This is scary to me because it's completely untracible. The cops are trying to ban it, but they can't prove that people are actually on spice because they can't trace it. It's crazy to see how people are getting high these days. It's also perfectly fine to sell because retailers say they sell it as insense and it's not their problem what the customers use it for. I was just shocked when I heard about it. Check it out!

Jersey Shore, Shmersy Shore

First of all ENOUGH with Jersey Shore! I'm seriously going to shoot myself in the face if I hear another "Fist pump", "GTL" or "Did you see Jersey Shore last night?" If all you have to live for is the gym, tanning, and doing laundry then you're an idiot to begin with. What makes me the most upset is that our society buys into their stupid drama and permiscuity. For this story to make the Chicago Tribune makes me worried for our journalist. Apparently i'm not the only one who thinks a girl from jersey shore who has gotten kicked out of the newest club is not news worthy. I read comment after comment about people furious that the tribune would run a story like this. On the other hand they put up a poll and more than 3,000 people voted. Are you serious America? What is this world coming to? I get made fun of for not watching Jersey Shore and I feel it's completely backwards. So fellas think twice before you throw on your affliction t-shirt and girls, the rats nest was so seventh grade. I hope your life goal isn't to kick it with these meatheads.

I Want Names!

When i think of John Mayer only one word comes to mind... GENIUS! I just got back from his concert and i can truly say it was AMAZING! He is so talented with the guitar and pulling the audience in to feel whatever emotion he is trying to convey. I'm pretty sure he was high the whole show, but he was so entertaining and full of energy throughout the night. He actually had a really cool concept about hate in the world. Allow me to share with you the inspirational words of Mayer. When you feel like people are mad at you, or someone says "dude, people are really pissed at you" just say, I want names! 90% of the time there wont be names, it's either one person who wants to ruin your happiness because they are jealous or there aren't any names. If you believe there are no names, then everyone likes you! Isn't that an amazing concept. I believe what you percieve in yourself is how you view the world. The only hate is in the mirror... YOU can make a difference with just you're attitude. It's all in your head, whether you're too fat, not smart enough, or not pretty enough, you're the only person giving yourself permission to feel that way. So i challenge you to only look at the good within yourself. If you do something you're proud of, tell youself that you did a dang good job and you're talented. Tell yourself how much you love your body, talents, and even flaws. That's what makes you unique. If you love yourself, people will love you too.

Think About It

"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken, probably more than once, and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend, and lose friends you thought you would always have. You'll blame a new love for things that an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing to fast, and you'll eventually lose somebody you can't live without. So take too many pictures, laugh too much and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend angry or upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back! "

Memories of this amazing year

Pirate Mansion.... Best Place on Earth!
Cali+ Skim Boaring= Perfect Day

THE BOYS
The Great Race (3rd Place Out of 36 teams)

My Girls

First things first..... Whit, Berk, and Jess are my best friends. Through new boyfriends, music videos and vacations we have always been there for eachother. I am grateful for them everyday. A couple of memories from this year include.... Hot Tubing, Greys Anatomy Nights, Whit's caramel popcorn, Music Videos, Lake Mead, Gingerbread Houses, Caramel Apples, Meeting THE BOYS, Pirate Mansion, Ferdonia, Barts Birthday, Berks Birthday, Dancing on Ceilings, Cruise of a Lifetime, Movie Nights, Mesquite Runs, Meat Head Time at the Gym, Family Sleepovers, Singing 23 Hymns in one Sunday, Hikes, Mothers Weekend, The Boys Stripping For Moms, The Great Race, Meeting everyones families, Trevins Cooking, Longest Breakfast Ever, Movies, D- Dance, Bootcamp, AmBADASSadors, Pat Moody, Everyone and their dog getting married, and ya can't forget Alberto's Runs! I don't know how i'm going to top this year! So much fun! I'm sad it's almost over-

Here it goes!

Okay People, here i go- I'm going to try this thing. I finally broke down and decided to start a blog. I don't even know who would read this, but it might be a fun little project.... not like i'm not already busy enough. My life right now consist of trying not to kill myself with finals (only 2 more classes till i graduate in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations thank heavens) as well as completing 80 hours of community service before i go on my humanitarian trip to Phuket Thailand in June! So excited! I am still working as a Personal Trainer at Summit Athletic Club and i absolutely love it! I get excited to go to work everyday and my clients are so much fun! I am getting ready to move home to Kaysville for the summer and it's bitter sweet. I have an internship at Channel 4, but i'm going to miss my friends down here. We have so much fun together and we are always going on a new adventures. They are crazy- but i feel like they're family now! I love my life right now- as hectic as it is i wouldn't have it any other way. Thank You Heavenly Father! ;)