Mock Trial- Members of the jury please comment!

I was a "freedom of speech" lawyer during the mock trial in class this week. It was not an easy side for me to be on, because I didn't always agree with the points I was trying to make. For that reason, I am extremely glad that I was on this side. I had lots of opportunities to look critically at the research regarding violent video games. In the end, after looking at the research, I do have to agree with the "freedom of speech" side. I strongly believe in protecting not only my rights, but as a (fake) representative of the citizens of America, it is my (fake) job to protect their rights as well.
I do not feel that the evidence concerning violent video games is conclusive enough to ban the selling of violent games to minors. Even if I wouldn't allow my children to play excessively violent video games (which I do not intend to allow them in my home), I do not think it is right to take away someone's ability to judge for them self what is appropriate and right. I really have to ask, where are all of these heinous crimes that adolescents are committing as a result of video games that warrant the sale of violent video games to be banned? I did not hear about a SINGLE violent crime being committed by an adolescent who plays lots of violent video games. I think without indisputable evidence showing that violent crimes are being committed as a result of video games, they cannot be banned if we believe in upholding the constitution of the United Sates.
I think the real selling point for me was, where do we draw the line? So, if the government can ban the sale of violent video games to minors, what else can they justify in banning? Books on the holocaust? Harry Potter movies and books (violence and witchcraft- many people think Happy Potter is inappropriate for these reasons)? Greek Mythology contains lots of stories that are explicitly violent. I just don't see an end to what the government can ban if they can ban the sale of violent video games WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF SERIOUS CRIMES BEING COMMITTED as a result.
I would love to hear from the jury giving some insight in to how they came to their conclusion. I know this was just a MOCK trial, but I am shocked by the UNANIMOUS vote against the sale of violent video games to minors. I really thought with this media class being a 300 level class and all, that we would have learned how to think more critically and hopefully set aside our biases. If this was a real court hearing, the jury's decision would have set precedent for future trials. There is no end to what that decision could do. Please give me some insight!

Children's Book Research- Good for the soul!

My media class group is doing research on the way parents are viewed in children's books. During this research process, I have read children's books. Of course I read some books that I would never want to read again (such as books teaching children to use the toilet...), but for the most part I read lots of great books! Not only were the books really fun, many of the books had great lessons in them. There were several books that were centered around selfless acts of love. I think it would be a great thing if more of us read children's books regularly :)

Be bigger than your mistakes

I was on campus and came across these words of wisdom in the Brimhall building.

-If you avoid difficult things, great things will avoid you.
-Fully repentant black sheep become white sheep.
-Leadership never strolls, it strides.
-God illuminates without consuming, Satan consumes without illuminating.
-Face what is, and thereby qualify to dream of what may be.
-Be Bigger than your mistakes.
-Climb high, that you may help others up.
-It is a sin to be ignorant when there is opportunity for knowledge.
-Make no excuses-make good.
-Humility is a safeguard against humiliation.

I love all of these! This has given quite a few things to think about this week. The one thing I would change would be the second saying. I would say, Fully repentant black sheep ARE white sheep. I would change that because when we repent Heavenly Father doesn't remember our sins. It is as if it never happened in his eyes. Plus, everyone makes mistakes, therefore you can't be a white sheep unless you repent. Right?

The Hunger Games and Twilight

So, I just bought The hunger Games at Wal-Mart today. I wasn't going to read the book, because the whole idea of children killing each other doesn't appeal to me. However, I was finally convinced to read the book and was promised that this book wasn't gory. I'm really really hoping it's not... I can't stomach too much blood and guts.
Normally, I would think this book must be good because so many people read it. However, last semester I read Twilight for a school project, and it was one of the worst things I have ever read. I almost stopped halfway through the book and chose another book for my project. Besides being horribly written, Twilight showcases Bella and Edward's relationship as the ideal. This is appalling to me because their relationship isn't healthy. I think Edward is very controlling. I felt like he forces Bella to do things his way, because he wants to "protect" her. I believe his intentions are good, but if she doesn't want his help, then he shouldn't force her to have his help. I worry that teenagers who read this book will think that this is how relationships are.
Anyway, I'm going to start The Hunger Games tonight. I'll have to write another post when I am done reading the book, and give my opinion on the book.

For the love of Media!

So, I find out more and more ways to utilize the media everyday. I have added more items to my bucket list and included other ways the media can help me accomplish them as well.

- Keep and stick to a budget (mint.com, need I say more.)
- Do a cartwheel (I can enlist help through Facebook to find a friend who can teach me this skill... and this is a skill just like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills, ect.)
- Run for a cause (I can search for a cause worth running for on the internet, then train for it using fitness sites on the internet, and the my fitness pal app)
- Throw the most amazing LDS bachelorette party ever! Normally these are so lame, because the idea behind the bachelorette party is not all that appropriate, BUT... I have to throw my sister one, so I am determined to class it up, make it crazy fun, and appropriate for even my grandmother! (Party blogs will be my saving grace when planning this.)

Wow! some of those sentences are out of control. Maybe I should add, learn how to write a bucket list without run on sentences, to my list. I have two papers due today. I think I should go ahead and walk over to the BYU writing lab...

Motivation is like Bathing

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar

It's almost March and by now most of us can't even remember what our New Year's resolutions were. For all of us college students, it is the middle of the semester, and if you are anything like me, you might be finding it hard to stay motivated. Well, there are a few things that I remembered today.

First, it is never too late. I have not completed as much as I planned to accomplished by this time this year. But that doesn't mean that I can't start to change that now. Is it worse to start late or never start?

Second, you can do anything that you set your mind to. One reason I have not accomplished everything that I wanted to is because I have tried and failed. I am not embarrassed to admit to my failures. I would have rather tried and failed, than never tried at all.

Third (and most importantly), if you want to accomplish more, then you will need frequent motivation. One way to stay motivated is to make sure you do something that you enjoy DAILY. This is not as easy as it may sound, but it will keep you from getting burned out.

With these things in mind. It is time to start again, and I'm excited!! I have a new resolve to work hard in school. I have also made specific plans to eat healthier and exercise more frequently. On my previous post I listed a few things that were on my bucket list. I have started one of them, with the help of the media of course ;). I am making a wallet out of extra fabric I had using a wallet tutorial I found on another blog. I cut all of the pieces out for my wallet last weekend. I hope to finish the wallet by March 14th. I will post pictures when I am done!

Bucket list...

Here are a few items on my bucket list that the media can help me accomplish.
1. Learn 100 new words and use them in everyday conversation (you can sign up at dictionary.com to get sent their word of the day)
2. Have my apartment, car, and purse all clean at the same time (blogs about organization can teach me how to arrange my things in an orderly way to help reduce clutter)
3. Put $1,000 in an emergency fund for a rainy day (Ebay can help me get rid of things I don't use AND make extra money for this fund!)
4. Make something I can use out of things I don't use (youtube and pintrest have all kinds of ideas about how to create fun and cute things)
Those are just a few things I want to accomplish. Now, I am off to go cross something off my list!

Blogtastic!

SO.... I officially loved lecture on Friday. I am extremely new to the bogging world, and I had no idea the wealth of knowledge (and revenue) that blogs can give us access to. Since lecture I have been all over the blogging world and have found out all kinds of things! This is just another tool that can help me accomplish all the things on my bucket list!!!

Who is your hero and why?

my microscopic family :)
(It probably a good thing this picture is so small, because it is absolutely impossible to get every person to smile at the same time. There are always about two people that end up looking funny.)

I think its funny how we are exposed to all types of media on a daily basis. Through all of this media exposure, we can become almost obsessed with the lives of those on TV. Most of us can recall countless insignificant details about famous individuals. These media icons have become household names and their actions effect the world. Several of these icons have changed the way music is played, or what fashions we wear. I then thought about children growing up today and what they are exposed to. I became worried, because of the effect these media giants might have on the younger generation. Who are these children looking up to? What kind of examples are they seeing? Then I thought about my hero.
I don't know the name of my hero, but he changed my life. When my mom was in college she had my oldest sister Emily. My mom got really sick afterward, because of the mistakes the delivery doctor made. Worried about my mother's health, my parents visited several doctors. Every doctor insisted that the only way to save my mother was for her to get a hysterectomy. My mom didn't feel right about that. My mother always wanted to have a big family. Finally, one doctor had a different idea. It would still require an operation, but he said he could repair the damage the delivery had done. The problem was that my parents didn't have enough money for the operation. The doctor knew my dad knew how to work on cars and he said that if my dad would fix his car, then he would do the operation. My parents never received a bill for the operation. My mom went on to have eight more children, including myself. My parents don't know where this doctor is today, but this doctor gave me my family.
So, who is your hero? I've talked to several people about their heroes. I've heard stories about selfless scout leaders, moms that never gave up, terminally ill individuals that reach out to those in need, and teachers that went the extra mile to help students. I did not hear any stories about the rich and the famous. The individuals who seem to be creating the biggest impression are the seemingly ordinary individuals that selflessly give of themselves. I think this younger generations might be alright after all, because we can all be selfless. And because we can do that, we can all be another persons' hero.

Harry Potter

While the Harry Potter books are considered children’s and adolescent’s books; the message in them is for all ages. Harry is constantly battling Voldermort and his followers. This is never easy. By fighting Voldermort Harry could lose the only world where he feels like he belongs. Because of this battle, Harry is disliked by almost every person, including his best friends, at one time or another. Throughout the book many others in the books give up and take the easy road. Harry never does this. Harry always does what he believes is right even when he knows the decisions he makes are not popular. I want to be that kind of a person.

Isn't it about...time.

Mormon ads. I secretly (or now not so secretly) love those Mormon ads on TV. I just can't help but let out that girly Awwww whenever I see them. It amazing how something so brief has such an affect on me. The creators of those commercials are definitely doing something right, because after watching those commercials I want to take action. I want to go to my sister's violin recital or take my brother out to lunch or write a note to my mom. Good job mormon-ad-makers. You're changing the world one commercial at a time!

Allrecipes.com has officially changed my life!!!

I can't cook. I'm not trying to be modest or cute, I really can't cook. BUT, I can follow a recipe. In fact, it is probably more like I hold on to recipes for dear life, because ANY deviation turns into a disaster. Now, anytime I really need my cooking to impress I use allrecipes.com, the invention that has changed my life.

Since my discovery, I have cooked for first dates and impressed them with my cooking abilities to the point that I have had invitations for second dates. My new secret weapon has led to friends asking me to cook for their wedding receptions. Coworkers and all of my eight siblings insist that I make their birthday cakes. Two almost mother-in-laws (yes, I may have been engaged more than once...) have asked for my help in the kitchen. I have even been paid to cook! People now ask ME for my recipes! I just smile and give them a handwritten copy of the recipe that I found. :)

If you are in need of fabulous recipes, check out allrecipes.com. My only advice is to check the reviews before you make anything. You will find recipes you can't live without!

There's no friend like a facebook friend...

So, what is the point of having 600+ friends on facebook if you barely talk to 10 of them? We go through all the trouble of adding "friends" from elementary school, random acquaintances, and those coworkers that we could not care less about, and for what reason? Are we hoping they will be impressed by the overly attractive pictures of ourselves on our profile? Or is there some kind of secret contest to see how many "friends" we can have? Or perhaps we are simply afraid that we might offend someone and, so we add everyone we have ever talked to to our friends list. Maybe I am just really late in catching the facebook fever, but I'm having a hard time seeing value having all those facebook "friends." Any friends that I care to keep in touch with, I keep in touch with. Everyone else... I can live without knowing their most recent crush, or seeing the pictures of them on their family reunion in Montana last year.

Hulu PLUS!

Just what I need, one more reason to waste time! I DIDN'T watch a lot of TV. I DIDN'T have a favorite TV show. I do now. I never had time to keep up with TV shows and what was happening. I could never be dedicated enough to schedule or even remember to watch a show the same time every week. Lucky for me, I can now spend endless hours catching up on all those shows I've missed through the years. Now, I can watch TV whenever it is convenient for me. I really love the show Lie to Me and have now watched all the episodes on Hulu. Thank you Hulu PLUS... One more thing to battle in order to get all of the other necessary things done.

Words With Friends

Words With Friends. My new obsession. I hate scrabble, so why on earth am I addicted to the online version of scrabble? Maybe it is the fact that I can take all the time I want to pick a perfect place to play the perfect word. Or maybe I just love being able to play many games at once. Well, regardless of why, the fact is that I am addicted. If you get a chance, I highly recommend giving it a try. There are worse things in the world than being addicted to spelling.

Media Free

Yesterday, the power in my apartment went out. It was out until 4:30 pm today. My laptop was not charged, my phone died, and because it was so dark in my apartment I couldn't read. It was probably one of the only times in my life that I have been completely free from the media. I'll be honest, I felt a bit lost. It was hard to find things to do to pass the time without having the media. I couldn't watch a movie, surf the web, call a friend, read a book, or listen to music. I ended up doing some cleaning in the candlelight and then went to bed early. All in all, it was a good thing. Without the media to distract me, my apartment no longer had dirty dishes in the sink and I got a lot of sleep. But... I take less sleep, some dirty dishes, and keep the media!

Music :)

I love how music can instantly put me in a good mood! I have been listening to Erin Boheme's Someone to Love and Kelly Sweet's song Raincoat recently. They are both pretty chill songs, and I can't help but smile when I hear either of these songs. There may (and I mean MAY) have even been some dancing going on as well while listening to these songs... I'm not sure why I am so affected by this kind of media, but I am sure glad I am!

Blogging....

This WAS my opinion about blogging. Let's be honest. I barely write in a journal, and I am technologically challenged. Why would I start a blog? Well, because it is required for my media class, of course. This may have been my initial motivation to start a blog, but it is not the reason I am going to continue to blog. After thinking about it a lot these past couple of days, I've decided that blogs can be a powerful tool, because words are powerful. The Earth was created by words. Reading the words in the scriptures changes lives daily. Through the words said in priesthood blessings, people are healed and comforted. I've had days where I felt alone and lost, but a phone call from a friend completely changed my outlook on life. No matter what medium we chose to use, our words can have a strong impact, hopefully for the better, on others. For this reason, I have decided to blog.