Not A Goodbye, But An I’ll See You Soon

I remember the day so clearly.  Rays of sunlight lit up my face.  Rolling over, I saw him.  He laid so peacefully.  His name was Addison.  Addison was a long time family friend.  We grew up going to church together.  There was something between us for as long as I could remember.  We just always had that connection.  It was the summer going into our senior year in high school.  We were both 17.  The best year of my life came and went like a lightning bolt.  Our relationship was something very special.  The chemistry we had was unbelievable.  

As he laid there, I couldn’t help but stare.  His golden brown body glistened as the sun peaked in through the window.  His lips we so luscious and soft.  I leaned in and kissed him.  Addison smiled and opened his eyes.  We gazed into each others eyes with complete happiness.  This was all about to end.

Addison lived in San Diego and I lived in Camarillo.  I went down to visit Addison for a week in San Diego but it was time for me to take the train back to Camarillo. Although having a long distance relationship was already hard, things were about to get worse.  That weekend Addison was moving to Hawaii for college.

Packing my bags for the last time, I began to cry.  Knowing I wasn’t going to see him for months killed me inside.  Of course I didn’t want to go home but I had to.  Finally  the time came.  The car ride for the shortest car ride of my life.  We arrived at the train station.  We sat together holding hands, trying to make jokes.  We both knew that within minutes we would say our final goodbyes.  He joked, “Did I give you enough to hold you off for a couple months?”  Laughed back, I said, “Of course you did.”  

I could hear the train in the distance.  We made eye contact and our smiles faded.  The scene is instilled in my head.  We walked hand in hand.  His warmth overwhelmed my entire body with happiness.  He was my happiness.  Without him I felt incomplete.  Within moments he would be gone and my struggle would begin.  We looked into each others eyes.  I said, “I’ll miss you babe.”  He replied, “I’ll miss you more.  But we will see each soon.”  Right then the train stopped.  I could hear its breaks squeaking.  People rushed out of the train and others quickly boarded.  So much was going on around me but I felt like I was frozen in time with him. I could not get in the train.  It was physically the hardest thing I could ever do.  He leaned in for the kiss.  I can still imagine the feeling of his lips touching mine.  A man shouted out, “Last call for boarding!”  We made one last eye contact and then I turned towards the train.  

Tears began to form.  My vision became blurry and I tried to brush away my tears.  I sat in the first seat I saw.  I just sat there.  Like a robot.  My face was blank.  I can imagine myself looking like someone who was drugged out on zanex; a blank stare, in their own world, checked out of reality.  All of the emotions overpowered.  This was too hard for me to handle.  So many thoughts went through my head.  It was like some one hit my upside the head and I got a reality check.  The guy I spent the last year with, the best year of my entire life, was gone.  I was not going to be able to see him, touch him, kiss him, hug him.  I couldn’t do any of it.  Sitting there, I felt lost and confused. 

Days passed.  The longest days of my life.  I was out of routine.  I felt like a lost child in a park.  It took me days to realize what I realized.  This was one of the best things to ever happen to me.  I had become so reliant on him for my happiness.  The realization was that it was time for me to focus on myself.  I needed to be happy by myself in order to have complete happiness with him.  Next thing you know I was back in school and playing soccer everyday.  For once I felt powerful and confident.  I felt like I could do anything in the entire world.  I needed to be without him to find myself again and I did.

Being at school, there were guys every where.  The other day I was walking to soccer practice and this guy stopped me.  He walked up with all smiles and said, “Sorry, I couldn’t walk by you and not stop and introduce myself.”  We conversed back and forth a couple times and then I continued on my way.  After this incident I concluded with myself that no one could ever compare to Addison.  Addison was perfect for me!  Some people say you just know when you find the one.  And I found that.   

I had found the one I was meant to be with for the rest of my life.  My feelings for him grew the farther he was away from me.  But I didn’t need him to be with my physically for me to be happy.  We could still love each other and be there for each other.  He could help me with my struggles and I could help him with his.  The power of our love showed me that there really is true love.  Him being away from me only made me stronger and more independent.  Pretty soon he will be back in California and we can be together and all the waiting and distance will be in the past and we can both move forward.  His leaving was one of the hardest things that I’ve ever gone through.  But it was for the best and my future can only get better from here.  

Oxnard Student

Jose Munoz, the first person I interviewed was one of my classmates.  Jose was born in Oxnard and is 19 years old.  The idea of expanding his knowledge and getting a career motivated him to become a full time student.  Because of his heavy homework load, he finds time to hang out with his family on the weekend.  When asked what his motto for succeeding in school was, Jose responded, “Don’t do drugs.”  Hearing this from a teenager is unique.  It is hard to find a teenager in 2011 that is drug free.  Jose went into college expecting strict professors, but was surprised when all of his teachers were “chill”.  He was also surprised that the students were friendly and very diverse.  In five to ten years Jose sees himself having a steady job.  He is still shakey on the idea of getting married and starting a family. Jose described himself in three words, “Odd, smart, and happy.” 

Attorney

Attorneys, or lawyers work in private practice.  They can work in law forms or be solo practitioners.  Attorneys practice in many areas.  This areas include criminal appellate, real estate, family, elder, tort, bankruptcy, health care, and much more.  Lawyers jobs are to advise clients with legal transactions, to conduct alternative dispute resolution sessions, to represent clients before administrative bodies of government agencies, and to research what laws apply to their clients’ cases.  

Salaries of Attorneys vary a lot depending on their experience, job duties, employer, and geographical location.  The attorneys that work in large law firms in urban areas usually earn the highest wages.  For most attorneys, their annual salary ranges between $49,180 and $145,600 according to the Occupation Employment Statistics survey in May 2005.  And according to the 2005 Associate Salary Survey by NALP, the average salaries for attorneys ranges between $67,500 and $125,000.  The more experienced lawyers that have worked more than eight years salaries ranged from $109,000 to $181,500. 

After time, attorneys look to find a higher paying or more prestigious job.  Some attorneys try to pursue completely different careers. For example, law professors, law librarians, judges, FBI special agents, politicians, and corporate executives.  

There is a lot of education and training to become an Attorney.  You must earn a juris doctor degree.  Also, in most states you have to graduate from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association.  A special requirement to practice law in a state is that the lawyer must get admission to the state’s bar association.  Also, to practice in a federal court, Attorneys must be registered with that court.

Some skills and personality traits that are key to being a good Attorney are being able to work well with colleagues, clients, and judges.  Experience is also good.  Law firms look for students freshly out of law school that have completed law clerkships in law firms, court systems, government agencies, or corporate legal departments.

Echaore-McDavid, Susan. "Attorney (Private Practice)." Ferguson's Career Guidance Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.aspItemID=WE34&SID=5&iPin=COLLI0001&SingleRecord=True>.

Texting While Driving

Texting while driving is a problem that has grown enormously since the advances in technology these past 10 years.  Now that the use of cell phones while driving has increased, the government is trying to get states to ban the use of cell phones while driving.  The results of using cell phones while driving can be deadly.  In September 2009, results from the NHTSA came back that 5,870 people were killed and 515,000 people were injured because of distracted driving.  

In November 2009, 21 states banned cell phone use by all new drivers.  Also, in October of 2009, a Senator introduced a new bill that had a financial incentive to the states that chose to ban the cell phone use.  The is a lot of controversy about these new laws.  This is especially because the new drivers can’t even talk with a bluetooth while driving.  One teen stated, “Teens don’t really have any political power in society.”  

There was a fatal accident in September of 2008.  A train crashed and 25 people died.  The accident was caused by an engineer who was texting just before the crash.  This is just one example the deaths caused by cell phone distraction.  

Other distractions that concern people are women putting on makeup while driving.  Men also admitted to checking out other drivers being a major distraction.  Messing around with the radio and navigation systems are also distractions that lead to accidents.

In the future, Obama is working on new laws to help prevent cell phone use while driving.  Also he is looking for new ways to help enforce the laws that already exist.

"Texting While Driving." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Sep. 2011.

I mean we all text, but do we all sext?!

Texting, texting, texting.  We all do it.  Some more often than others.  But what is interesting about texting... is sexting.  I think that sexting can be a variety of things; talking about having actual sex, talking about sexually things you would want to do (fantasizing), and sending sexual videos or pictures.  While all these things are frowned upon and may be illegal depending on your age, a lot of teens and adults do this.  And this is what I’m curious about.  I think it would be cool to do an anonymous survey to see how many teens do this and how often they do.  I think its interesting that as technology gets better, people find more ways to do sexual things electronically.   

Another topic I think is important to talk about is texting and driving.  Because it is illegal to talk on the phone and drive; I find that it is more common to see people texting and driving.  I feel like this is even more dangerous.  Now I’m not saying that I don’t text and drive, because I do occasionally.  But I think that people should cut down on it because it is very dangerous and distracting.  People should be more aware of their surroundings while driving. 

T-SHIRT TIMEEE! ;)

I enjoy watching reality television.  I hate watching some other television shows because a criticize on bad acting a lot.  But, since reality television is all real and real life drama, I love it.  My favorite reality television show is Jersey Shore.  I’m guessing that is not too big of a surprise.  Although most of the show is dumb drama, it is quite amusing.  I don’t think that these shows are really harming our society.  If anything, I feel like it just shows people what going out and partying is like.  And if they see the people on television looking dumb and doing stupid things, then maybe it will prevent people from partying, not encourage them.  These reality shows do not really benefit our society either.  I believe that reality television is purely for entertainment.  People just enjoy watching other peoples lives to get out of their own lives.  It can make people feel better about their own lives.  Also, reality television, just like other forms of entertainment, are watched as an escape.  When people watching television, it helps them escape from their problems in their lives.  

Another reality television show that I like to watch is Keeping up with the Kardashians.  This television show has been one of my favorites since it ever came out.  I believe that this show is benefiting to our society.  This is because it shows how much fun a family can have; even through ups and downs.  It focuses on family unity.  I am really big about having a close family.  People should always have family and friends to turn to when there are in a bad place.  Although some of the material in this show is inappropriate, I feel like the overall message from this show is good.  

Like I said before, I do enjoy watching reality television shows.  I don’t like them all though.  For example, that Toddlers in Tiaras show.  I’ve seen that show a couple times, I almost feel bad when I watch it.  I feel like when the girls are super young, like three years old, they don’t know if they even like performing yet.  When I see the little toddlers crying and pouting, I feel bad for them and feel like their parents (moms mostly) are pushing them to do things that they do not want to do.  Because of this, I don’t encourage watching these sorts of reality television shows.  They don’t harm or benefit the society.  Maybe some people see this as entertainment; but not me.  

To conclude this reality television blog, I’d like to talk about my reality star crush.  I would have to say that Pauly D has the perfect mixture of personality and hottness.  If I got to spend a day with him I’d be beyond happy.  <3 Im kind of kidding and kind of serious. haha.

sometimes tasty isn't always good for you..

When I was growing up, fast food was never really in my life.  My mother was a stay at home mom so she cooked us breakfast every morning, made our school lunches, and cooked a nice family dinner every night.  On occasion my family would eat it.  For example, every year we take road trips and we would be driving in the middle of no where and randomly see a McDonald’s and stop to eat there.  Also, when I was younger my grandma lived with us for a couple years and we used to go to the beach together on the weekends and afterwards we would stop and eat Wendy’s together.  It was kind of a tradition we had together.  I would always get their kid’s meals because it came with a little frosty and toy.  At that time I really enjoyed fast food and whenever I got it  I looked at it as a treat. I have this one memory of being in middle school.  One of my best friends would get McDonald’s brought to her to school at least once a week.  I was so jealous and always bugged my mom and asked her why she wouldn’t bring me fast food.  My mother always responded with, “I take my time to make you a nice healthy lunch.  I could easily go buy you fast food, but its not healthy and one day you will thank me for it.”  And I do thank her for it today.

Today my food habits are pretty regular.  I usually make myself eggs and bacon in the mornings before school.  But if I don’t have time I will just grab a granola bar.  Because I have soccer everyday at lunch time, I usually miss lunch so I’ll eat a Cliff Bar before my practice and then by the time practice ends I’m starving.  This is where fast food becomes an issue.  After my practice my teammates will always invite me out to eat.  Somedays we will go to In-n-out, other days it’ll be the Habit, it is just random food every day.  I would not say that I rely on fast food at all.  I always could come home and make a sandwich or something, it’s just the convenience of fast food that is tempting.  With that said, I probably eat fast food about three or four times a week.  I don’t see this as an issue because I am so active, but ultimately fast food is not good for you.  I never really stopped and thought about it but now I want to make an effort to not eat it.  Maybe I’ll start reading some cooking books so I can make a fresh tasty meal at home.