I'm ADHD, too.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, I wake up, eat breakfast, and take my Adderall. And… I absolutely hate it. I hate taking medicine that makes me feel calm, and hindering my personality. Adderall also changes my mood and increases my irritability throughout the day. It is miserable and annoying. Plus, I love to eat. The medicine decreases my appetite and sometimes, changes the taste of foods. Unfortunately, I am ADHD, and dependent on it to help me stay focused in class and when I study.

What I don’t get though is how people that are not ADD or ADHD want to take Adderall or similar medicines? Several people have asked me to give them one because they “need to stay up and study” or “need to stop eating,” but I have never given any out.

Not only is it a felony, it isn’t fun. Any chance I get to not take it (non-school days, and breaks), I don’t. Not taking my medicine allows me to be free and enjoy being the person I really am. But, I understand that it helps me concentrate, so I withstand the pain.

I guess what I am trying to say is that an overwhelming amount of young adults abuse Adderall for the purpose of studying, staying up all night, eating less, or in some cases, desiring the opposite effects for those that are not ADD at all. I have so many friends that are jealous and want to take Adderall on a daily basis. I also have some that claim they have an attention deficit problem and need to get checked by their doctor. If that’s the case, go to the doctor and have him write you a prescription, don’t take it upon yourself to find a friend to help solve your problem. I hate taking my medicine, and I cannot believe the amount of people that either want to take it, or are taking it illegally.

Pretty, Smart, Poetic

Pretty, Smart, Poetic is a play written by Brigham Mosley (B.F.A.’10) for the 2010 SMU Meadows School of the Arts’ New Visions, New Voices student production.

The only reason I saw Pretty, Smart, Poetic was for extra credit in my theatre class, Mirror of the Ages. Mosley is a Teacher Assistant for my class, so it was interesting to watch his vision and what he had created on stage. I am not interested in the theatre or the arts whatsoever. However, I left Mosley’s production rather satisfied.

In summary: Pretty, Smart, Poetic is the story of three girls: one pretty, one smart, and one poetic, and their unbalanced and unhappy life as a result of their dad’s overprotection and his desire to love and to be loved. He loved his daughters so much he did what he thought would protect them by over exaggerating their talents and lying about their deceased mother. He placed special emphasis on his girls’ extraordinary talents, or really what they had been told to focus on by their father all their lives. This only led to resentment of their father and unintentional pain inflicted on his daughters.

The play generated questions concerning the complexity of human identity and love. According to Brandon Sterrett (B.F.A’10), a critic and scene shop assistant for Pretty, Smart, Poetic, “Having logical thoughts, artistic souls, and physical bodies makes us humans endlessly complex and exasperatingly messy”. The moral of the story is enjoying a balanced life, and living because you want to, not because your parents force you to.

I think we all can relate to the story. Fathers never mean to hurt their daughters, nor does any parent. We have all experienced pressure from our parents in one way or another, and may not have known necessarily how to deal with it. I encourage you all to love what you do and have that balanced life needed to be happy.

I'm so happy, I could cry...

I know these blog posts are suppose to focus on controversial issues to create some type of debate or something, but for some reason I find myself inclined to write about my feelings.

For the first time in my life, I have nothing to worry about. Growing up I have had to worry about going to practice for gymnastics, and even in college with cheerleading… it gets exhausting. It has been two weeks now since Nationals and the year is flying by. One full week of classes until exam cramming begins.

Beyond the shock of surviving my freshman year of college, lies surviving an entire year in the dorms. I honestly cannot believe my roommate and I have not killed each other yet.

It is all coming to a close. We are packing up and moving out. I am definitely sad it is over. And, even though summer and all of its excitement are near, I will miss seeing everyone. It is hard going to school with people from all over the country and knowing I probably will not see half of the friends I have spent all year with for the next four months of summer.

On the upside of things, we have all summer off, which is really exciting. I cannot wait to move into my house close to campus for summer school either! Seeing my friends from home also adds to the suspense leading up to summer.

Before you know it summer will end, and after that, the school year begins again. Recruiting all fall semester as a sophomore is something I know I am looking forward to, and meeting the new class is always fun.

For the first time in my life, I have nothing stopping me from having fun. I can find something positive to look forward to at the end of the school year, which is something that does not usually happen.

It is all so bitter sweet. It is time to close up the year and go home. It will all start again soon.

But hey, I have nothing to complain about… I guess this is what it feels like to be a full time college student…

Religion in college? ... I don't think so.

I went to church almost every Sunday morning growing up. I honestly think I’ve been to church less from August to now than I have been all my life. I remember during Sunday School last summer they would talk to the seniors and present statistics about students post high school graduation turning their back on their faith.

Why is that?

Because the majority of students are tired of waking up and having to be at school by 8 AM, they’ve scheduled their classes much later in the morning in college. I know we’re partying more than we should, but probably not much more than we did our senior year. I think we’re also sleeping more. I am definitely guilty of sleeping in and skipping some of my earlier classes from time to time, so why can’t I get up and go to church on Sunday morning? And, it’s sad too because there’s a church walking distance from my dorm.

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m excited to go home for Easter. I know I’ll make it this Sunday to church, and it’s definitely somewhere I need to go. Even if you’re not religious, you can probably relate to something you used to do religiously, but stopped doing once you got to college.

Since when are sports all about winning?

It’s the end of March, and cheerleading nationals in Daytona, Florida are just around the corner. April 8th will be here before we know it. We’ve had practice four days a week all semester. And, since Sunday after spring break, we’ve been at the gym seven days straight.

We spend at least three hours with each other every single day. And to be honest, I’m definitely getting tired of it. We’re all dealing with injuries, stress, lacking in sleep, sore bodies, and bad attitudes. SMU lost last year in Daytona to University of Louisville by .01, so with adding that extra pressure, it’s hard to let loose and have fun at practice. I can’t find the time and energy to focus on anything but cheerleading at this point.

The team is constantly yelling at someone for falling down or missing a motion during the routine. We always find a mistake to fit in somewhere during the two and a half minutes we’re performing. We get along so well off the mat, but when it comes to nationals season, everything changes.

What does winning really mean if we can’t work together as a team?

NOTHING.

I mean winning is fun and everything, but that’s not all I have to cheer for. I love getting out there and showing off everything I’ve worked for all year, but it’s hard to have fun doing it when myself and nineteen others are depending on me to do my job. I wish we could just put winning aside, and perform solely for the benefit of hitting the routine and knowing we did the best we could. After that, nothing else really matters. If we hit perfectly and don’t win, we know there’s nothing else we could have done. I just want to go out there April 8th and leave my heart out on the floor. I don’t care if we win or not, I want to do my best and have fun doing with the support of a loving team.

CD Warehouse Anyone?

Last night my roommate and I drove around until One O’clock AM looking for the Justin Bieber CD. We tried Blockbuster, Wal-Mart (not a super center), Barnes and Nobel, Premier Video, and others. All of which were either closed or no longer selling CDs. I mean we did realize we could buy the CD on iTunes, but we wanted the actual album. We literally could not think of any stores that were selling what we were looking for. We then thought about other places we had purchased CDs in the past. Only one came to mind…

I’m not intentionally continuing the Net generation theme and how we’re technologically impacting the world, but seriously, what happened to CD Warehouse?

When I was little, my mother would take my brother and I to buy CDs at CD Warehouse and other stores that explicitly sold music. Nowadays, we just buy them on iTunes, purchase individual songs, illegally download them on the Internet, or burn copies of our friends CDs.

I know where I buy CDs isn’t really a “major issue” to blog about, but after reading these books on the Net generation, I’ve really come to notice how we’ve affected so many aspects of life. It’s kind of sad how much everything has changed. Obviously, as a Net gener myself, I’m a proponent fully engaging in Internet usage; but I still appreciate going out and actually buying products at stores. I like to think I’m not THAT lazy.

Another example is Blockbuster. So many locations are closing down because of the invention of Netflix and other online movie companies. We’re too spoiled that we can’t drive four miles to the nearest renting store, we have to buy them online.

Convenience is one thing, but pure laziness is sad. Why can’t we still appreciate and use what was created in the past while continuing to embrace the future and its resources?

I have nothing to talk about...

As I’m sitting here thinking about what to blog about, I’m realizing I have nothing to say. But, how is this even possible?

We have so much going on around us. Fairly often, I find myself with nothing to talk about. While my roommate is up to date on current issues and bringing them up for conversation, I’m not doing anything. I don’t watch the news, nor do I pay attention to what’s going on around me at all.

After reading parts of Don Tapscott’s book, Grown up Digital, I find the fact that I’m so uninformed seriously discouraging. I have so many resources available with 23934529458 ways to connect to the world, and I’m not taking advantage of them like I should be. I think it’s because most of us are so concerned about what’s going on with ourselves that we don’t pay attention to what’s happening to others. I should know so many things to post about, but I don’t. I think most college students can relate with spending so much time with school, extracurricular activities, sports, partying, etc. that we forget to stay involved.

Can you relate? What can we do to stay in tune and why are some of us so disconnected?

“They’re dumber than we were at their age”

Summary:

Don Tapscott, a proponent of the net generation, gives an example of an opposing view in Grown Up Digital that suggests our generation is dumber than we should be at our age because of our use technology. Psychiatrists are concerned that our overuse of the Internet is causing us to be “a shallow, distracted generation…” (Tapscott 3). Technology and the Internet are adversely affecting our communication skills, ability to perform inside the classroom, reading, and focusing to get things done. We are hoping computers and the net generation will change the world, but in reality, it will bring us nothing.

Response:

The net has already and will continue to change the world. Our ability to research information online and learn faster than ever before has in no way hindered our intelligence. We have the ability to perform better academically because of technology. Yes, we are able to communicate over the Internet, but that does not mean we cannot effectively carry on a conversation with others. It is unfair to judge us just because we have the world at our fingertips. Times are changing, and with the advancement of technology, we are more informed, smarter, faster, and use resources that were not even accessible to past generations.

NEW NEW NEW

My last post focused on first semester and discussed my concerns and expectations for the spring semester. Were my friends and I going to end up in the same sorority? If not, will we still be friends? Now that it’s here, I don’t have to wonder anymore.

I was right.

All of my friends found their homes in different sororities. And so far, nothing has changed. I don’t think I want it to change, EVER.

The only change I’m welcoming is if it’s for the better. I love having an opportunity to make new friends, and I especially enjoy bonding with my new sisters. But, I want to continue sharing and growing up through my college experience with those that were a part of my first semester.

It’s a NEW semester in a NEW year with NEW friends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t KEEP THE OLD.

Has anything changed for you? I encourage maintaining those strong friendships that helped you in your transition to college, as well as embracing the new opportunities.

Wait, is it Winter break already?

Is it just me or did the semester fly by? It seems like just yesterday my family and I were moving me into my dorm. Don't get me wrong, I'm so ready to be done; but at the same time, it's kind of sad. My first semester of COLLEGE is over.

I wonder, is this how every semester will be all throughout college? This is a scary thought.

Looking back, I'm so happy with the friends I've made. I could not have asked for a better start. But, will I keep these friends? When we come back from Winter break, it's time to rush. I mean let’s be real, the chances of all of us getting into the same sorority are slim to none. I am definitely ready, but am sad that this could be the end to some of the best friendships. Hopefully, I've impacted my new friends’ lives, just as they have mine. If this is true, I will be happy knowing the most important friendships have lasted.

Have you thought about what will happen as we go through yet another transition? I'm so anxious to see!

Pony Up!

Some freshmen are having difficulty adjusting to college life. It's hard settling into a new “home”, especially if you're from another state. What I've found eases the transition is loving your college. I think the spirit of SMU is responsible for welcoming the new student body. The student body's spirit is what makes the university shine. Even though I’ve only been here a couple months, I've still noticed a difference in the school spirit this year and how its impacting student’s attitudes. Now that SMU has a winning football team, students are showing up and actually staying for the majority of the game. Basketball season is starting, and I think student’s support and participation at the games will not only help the players, but bring unity between students as well. I’m not just addressing students though, faculty and alumni too. Because school spirit and athletic success are new to SMU, it will be interesting to see what will happen just a couple of years from now.

Please get involved, and help SMU reach its new potential.

Persuasive Essay

I've changed my topic to focus on the decision to home school.

I think home schooling is an interesting topic for a persuasive argument. Education is one of the most important aspects of child development. So, deciding whether or not to home school can be a very controversial subject. I want to persuade parents not to home school their children because of the negative effects in the long run, especially if the only reason is to protect them from the real world. Parents and children who are making this decision will be my intended audience. There are various reasons why parents choose to home school their children, so I plan to touch on several and provide alternative solutions. Home schooling presents issues with social development, controlled interaction with the real world, religion, time and money, and accelerated learning styles. These issues can have tremendous effects on your children. Because I was home schooled until tenth grade, I can provide a realistic point of view for a plausible argument against home schooling.

A "Solution" to Underage Drinking on Campus

Before first semester, all I heard about was how much fun I’ll have during my freshman year at SMU. Already, only my night here after Mustang Corral, I realized the rumors about SMU might not be true. I stopped by a Fraternity house at 6 PM on the way to the Lil Wayne concert. I had not been upstairs for more than five minutes when someone yelled, “Go into the rooms! The cops are here!”.

I wondered, “Is this what it's going to be like all year? It’s only a Sunday night.”

I've lived here for a little over two months now, and my assumptions are fairly accurate. Not one time have I been at a Fraternity house and the SMU police not made an attempt to bust the party.

SMU faculty wonders why the percentage of students who have received an Alcohol Violation during this semester alone, have surpassed any year in SMU history. This increase is alarming to most, but not all students. Some students claim the only reason they're "getting caught” is because the SMU police is intentionally out to get them in trouble. And I think the majority of students would agree based on the SMU police’s behavior this year.

Every freshman resident hall has had a meeting with a representative from the Center of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention to inform students on the increasing rate of Alcohol Violations, discuss reasons, and possible solutions for the overwhelming percentage. It was beneficial for most students who were able to give their opinions, but for others with AV’s, it was frustrating to hear the same condescending talk again.

Fortunately, SMU Student Senate has found a solution to the problem. They have concluded that SMU police entering Fraternity houses to check on students past reasonable hours is against the Student Code of Conduct. Determining this as a violation of a student’s right to privacy, SMU police are no longer able to enter a Fraternity house without probable cause between the hours of 8PM and 6AM.

It is likely that the number of AV’s will decrease now that police cannot randomly walk into the house just to check things out. However, just because police aren’t able to catch students at Fraternity houses, doesn’t mean they won’t wait outside resident halls for students to return after a night out. Hopefully, Student Senate’s favorable resolution will lower the amount of Alcohol Violations; but it is unlikely that the number of students participating in underage drinking will decrease.

The Onion

The Onion News Network is a sarcastic news organization reporting on local, national, and international news issues, both real and figurative. The Onion News Network is a 24- hour TV news channel that also posts videos and articles, updates to their website, and broadcasts daily over the radio. The Onion is designed to replicate a real news studio with reporters from around the country reporting on “serious” issues affecting the world. The difference between real news networks and the Onion is that the Onion provides viewers with news reflecting the way the public actually thinks. While most news programs are biased and dry, the Onion News Network’s satirical approach portrays a more comical and realistic view on current issues. The Onion’s issues may not be real, but it appeals to the average American. The Onion is successful because of the way it takes what could viewed as a serious news topic and makes it enjoyable to viewers. Although some of the videos can be considered “crude humor”, I think America needs a more relaxed way to view current news. I agree Americans should not turn to the Onion News Network as a valid source of information, but it's fun to watch the Onion’s news crew try to seriously report obviously sarcastic views. I also like how they have videos that are for and against both view points. For example, the video below is making fun of Obama supporters, but they also have videos McCain supporters would find offensive.

Just because of Jantz

This past summer, my friends and I went over to visit our friend Jantz Jackson. Jantz has Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic muscular weakness disease paralyzing him from the waist down. Over the past four years, my friends and I watched television, played video games, and visited with him at least once a week.

My friends and I walked into Jantz's house one afternoon very relaxed, not expecting a conversation with Jantz to be too thought -provoking. Mrs. Jackson opened the door and led us to the family room where Jantz was watching the movie "Legally Blonde". Unfortunately, when we arrived the movie was just ending.

Subtitles scrolled across the bottom of the screen, "Emmett is proposing to Elle... tonight.”

After reading the text, my friend Ali said, "I do not think I want to get married right out of college.”

Ashton and I both agreed that we wanted a job after college, rather than settling down and starting a family.

Then Jantz said, "I want to get married when I am twenty-five.”

Suddenly, the three of us looked at each other at once. We were confused. Muscular Dystrophy patients have an average lifespan of nineteen to twenty-one. Hopefully Jantz will make it to be twenty-five, but his chances are slim. Because I knew Jantz's predicted lifespan, I assumed he did too.

Smiling, I turned to Jantz, "I think that is a good age for you Jantz.”

And Jantz went on to describe the plans he already had for his marriage.

This is typical of Jantz.

I knew I was not suppose to mention his disease in front of Jantz, and especially its effects, so I agreed with him. Because of a very awkward conversation, the rest of our visit at Jantz's house was unusually quiet. Normally, Jantz will crack jokes or ask about things he hears on television that he is curious about. Not today. There were two conclusions I had come to: either Jantz knows what will happen to him and trying to reassure himself he can overcome this, or has no idea what he will face within the next year or so.

After talking a little bit more, it was time to go. Mrs. Jackson thanked us for coming as she showed us the door.

The second we were back in the car, Ashton said, "I had no idea Jantz was not aware of what will happen to him!” She paused for a moment. "That is so sad.”

After a completely silent car ride, Ashton dropped me off at my house. The entire way home I thought to myself how humbling it was to have Jantz in my life as such a close friend. His attitude and perseverance uplifts my friends and me after every visit, but this time it was different. I thought about what Ashton had just said, and although Jantz’s condition is sad, I realized there is an upside. After all Jantz has been through, he still wants more. He will endure his disease as long as he can, never giving up, and impacting those around him. Jantz has also changed the way I look at disabilities. His outlook on life is so unbelievably positive. Jantz’s insisting spirit will surpass any difficulties he is faced with, improving the attitudes of those around him. It does not matter whether or not Jantz knows what will happen to him, because I know Jantz's attitude will not change once he finds out his life expectancy. He will still be strong, inspiring, and a friend forever.

Read my blog... for thousands of dollars?...

Earlier this week in my Wellness class, we were given index cards with hypothetical questions such as: “For fifty thousand dollars, would you put down your loyal pet?” or “For twenty thousand dollars, would you go three months without showering, brushing your teeth, and using deodorant?”, and some others with extreme alternatives. As each question was asked, I began to contemplate what I would actually do given a real situation. It then occurred to me, people, especially in the current economic time, would do almost anything for money, no matter the cost. I cannot believe some people will choose material wealth over hygiene, health, and personal happiness just because they “think” they will be happier with the trade-off. Material wealth and happiness are fallacies and in almost all cases, never satisfy you. Money is not everything. Hopefully, there are some Americans that actually know personal happiness and emotional balance are more important than wealth and other material possessions.

What would you give up for thousands of dollars?