Preventing the Swine Flu
As the last three weeks of school are approaching, the Swine Flu is still a major topic. I believe Winter break could not come at a better time. Everyone will be going home which will hopefully prevent more people from catching the flu. School is the main place where germs are spread and the break will be a huge help to killing those germs.
It is also very good that everyone is taking precautions in order to stop the spread. For instance, when I went to church last Sunday they did not give out the wine as usual. Also, everyone nodded instead of shaking hands. I found these really good changes since it lessens the amount of people getting sick without ruining traditions. There has to be usual precautions as well. It is winter season and people can become ill from small things. It is necessary to wear jackets and not go outside with wet hair. There is no reason to stop everything in fear of getting sick, but these few things should definitely be in the back of everyone’s mind. Have a wonderful break and stay healthy!
Add a comment December 1, 2009
My Favorite Holiday
Why does everyone love holidays? Some love getting together with their loved ones and celebrating. Others love presents or having an excuse to eat as much as they want. Everyone has their own favorite holiday, but Christmas is definitely mine for a couple of reasons. First of all, I love hanging out with my whole family for the day. Having both Christmas and Christmas Eve allows me to see both my mom’s and my dad’s side of the family all in two days. I am very close with them especially my aunts on my Dad’s side of the family because I had no sisters growing up. Christmas also gives me an opportunity to see my second cousins and great-aunts that I do not see on a regular basis. This is a really good time to catch up with them and share stories about things that have happened in the past year or so.
Even though I love hearing about what my family has been up to, I love Christmas even more for the attitude it brings out in the general public. Most people are a lot more cheerful and generous during this time of year. I think it is amazing how people will stop what they are doing to help out someone they don’t even know. I wish people were this generous all the time since most people postpone fighting and agree to disagree. It brings joy to everyone and it shows what the world should truly be, and that is why I love Christmas.
Add a comment November 23, 2009
Athletes: Far From Bad Role Models
I recently read a blog in which the author, Andreaenglishcomp, commented on the views of another blogger, Setter101. In these two blogs, they discuss the topic of the impact athletes have on kids. Setter101 says how she thinks that there is no way possible that an athlete can be a good role model. However, Andreaenglishcomp disagrees with that. She also says that the only reason it seems like athletes are only doing bad things is the type of media attention they get. I agree with this one hundred percent. There are many things that Athletes do that do not make the front page. However, once they do something wrong, it is the first thing that all fans know about.
An example of this is my favorite Red Sox player Jason Varitek. He went through a horrible divorce about a year ago and this was all over sports sites. Everyone was wondering why and speculating all different reasons. The rumors started flying about what he did and if he cheated or not. His credibility hit the floor and some people still do not look at him the same. However, he has a huge charity even every year that not many people outside Boston know about. It is called “Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt.” It raises money for Saints Medical Center and Celebrities for Charity. This year, it was held on September 14th and I honestly didn’t even know the date myself. It is crazy how a respectable athlete does one thing bad and it is all over the place but know one hears of their charity work. This happens to many athletes all the time and it is extremely unfair. If the media started covering good things athletes did, kids would have even more reasons to look up to them.
Add a comment November 9, 2009
Red Sox Woes
Don’t you sometimes wish that you could be John Henry, the owner of the Red Sox? You would not have to be nervous wondering what he has in store before the trade deadline comes along. You would be able to take in account what Red Sox Nation wants and what they think are the best moves. It would certainly come in handy this offseason when people are wondering what to do with Jon Papelbon.
First of all, Jon Papelbon has been there for the team in times of crisis time and time again. Up until this year, he has not allowed one earned run during the postseason. When Terry Francona calls on him, Red Sox fans are relieved and know that they have a very good chance of getting out of the game with a win. Due to this, it is extremely unnecessary for people to automatically be thinking of trade opportunities. Even though the Red Sox control Papelbon’s rights until 2011, they should use that to keep him on the team. Everyone makes a mistake, and Papelbon’s first major one was this postseason. It is not fair for people to put major stress on him and make him take all the blame. Even though he did give up all those runs, he will be able to redeem himself if given the chance. Papelbon is one of the most valuable pitchers on the team, maybe even in the whole league and it would be a major shame to even think about trading him.
Add a comment October 18, 2009
Early Holiday Products are Beneficial
I recently read somanyoppertunities blog about how retail stores are beginning extremely early when it comes to holiday products. For the past year plus, I have worked for a retail store and have seen this first hand. We put out holiday stuff one to two months early. For Valentine’s Day, for example, we get products in mid-December and put them on the shelves late December to early January. Halloween and Thanksgiving supplies go out in the middle of July while Christmas products start filling shelves in early to mid August.
Even though a lot of people do not want to think about the holidays a couple months in advance, I feel this is a very good system due to the economic disaster the country is currently facing. Since most familes in the United States are living paycheck to paycheck, it is hard to buy gifts and decorations all at the same time a week before Christmas. This leaves them feeling bad that they did not buy much for their children. However, this can all be fixed by having products out early. Parents can buy a few things each week and fit holiday shopping into their budget. They would not have to worry about not getting a lot or running out of money by Christmas Eve. However, the problem is that there is still a lot of people who like shopping last minute and products stop coming to stores about two weeks before Christmas. This forces stores to turn customers away. To satisfy both ends of the spectrum, stores should put out products early and keep them on the shelves until the holiday is over.
Add a comment October 7, 2009
Keep Hopes Alive for Red Sox
Yesterday, the Boston Red Sox clinched a playoff spot by winning the American League Wild Card even though they lost the past five games. However, once the postseason starts, none of that will matter. They will have a chance to prove themselves and will start that by facing the Anaheim Angels in the first playoff round. Even though the postseason record between the two teams throughout the past dcade is in favor of the Red Sox, many fans fear it will be a lot tougher this time around. Boston players have been struggling like Mike Lowell and there are others with questionable health like Josh Beckett. On the other hand, the Angels have been very dominant. They stayed in first place when two of their star veterans Vladimir Gurrero and Torri Hunter were injured at the same time.
Despite what a lot of people think, there is definitely a huge amount of hope. The Red Sox have a history of erasing struggles and starting as a brand new team in desperate times. Fans cannot forget the fact that in 2004, the Red Sox were able to keep their heads above water and come back from a three games to none defecit in the American League Championship Series. They were able to come back again in the 2007 Championship Series when they were down three games to one against the Cleveland Indians. Due to all of that, Red Sox Nation should not fear. Just like in the past, they will come through again if everyone keeps the faith alive.
Add a comment September 30, 2009
