Hello!
So in my last blog post, I talked about how I wanted to do more exploring in Richmond this Summer. Seeing how I am from NoVa, I still have a lot to learn in the Richmond area! To live up to this promise, I decided to walk uptown this week. It can also be classified as "the fan" area. I'm a newbie, I know.
Anyways! It was actually a lot of fun and I got to see many things that I never really payed attention to before. First off, I noticed A TON of galleries. Literally there was a gallery every block on Main street, which is understandable considering Richmond is so artsy and all. I didn't really get a chance to go inside of the galleries, but I definitely got to look through the windows which was pretty cool.
Another store that caught my attention was this Vintage shop (not too sure what the name of the store was). I didn't really know what to expect walking in, but to my surprise, it was a very cool store. They had things like typewriters, stools, house phones with the little twirly phone number thing, and a bunch of other stuff. It was cool getting to see that stuff from the olden days.
I also saw some cool murals while walking. One mural was cool looking although it did take a while for me to figure out what was going on with that bear. I was convinced that a bear was about to bite the girl's head off but my boyfriend said it was a mask that she was wearing. I still think there's a bear about to bite her head off.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Well, this is awkward.
It looks like I took a bit of a hiatus from my blog. Sorry about that... whoever you are. It's been a pretty hectic year at VCU with all those 15 page papers, exams that test you on material you may never use in the future, and you know, the works.
But the good news is: IT'S FINALLY SUMMER! Hooray! This means I actually have free time now which also means I can get back to writing on my blog. This Summer is a little different than any other Summer I've had at VCU. Usually, I go home for the three months but this year, I am staying in Richmond due to my current internship. It's going to be different, for sure and I will definitely miss being home for the Summer but I'm excited to try something different. It's time to put my big girl pants on and accept the fact that I have grown up things to do now.
With that being said, I need stuff to do in Richmond! Luckily, one of the great things about Richmond is that it offers many more options than my hometown (Burke). I can walk to Chipotle for goodness sake! That never happens in Burke. Burke is beautiful - don't get me wrong - but I'm happy I get to be in a place that makes it hard to be bored. One of my goals for the Summer is to explore the ins and outs of Richmond. During the school year, I don't have time to drive downtown and see what Richmond truly has to offer. But now that I have time, I can do that! I want to venture out to more small businesses, hidden restaurants indigenous to Richmond, and the outskirts.
If you're reading this and you know of some great places to visit in Richmond, don't be shy and leave a comment!
Thanks loves. NB
But the good news is: IT'S FINALLY SUMMER! Hooray! This means I actually have free time now which also means I can get back to writing on my blog. This Summer is a little different than any other Summer I've had at VCU. Usually, I go home for the three months but this year, I am staying in Richmond due to my current internship. It's going to be different, for sure and I will definitely miss being home for the Summer but I'm excited to try something different. It's time to put my big girl pants on and accept the fact that I have grown up things to do now.
With that being said, I need stuff to do in Richmond! Luckily, one of the great things about Richmond is that it offers many more options than my hometown (Burke). I can walk to Chipotle for goodness sake! That never happens in Burke. Burke is beautiful - don't get me wrong - but I'm happy I get to be in a place that makes it hard to be bored. One of my goals for the Summer is to explore the ins and outs of Richmond. During the school year, I don't have time to drive downtown and see what Richmond truly has to offer. But now that I have time, I can do that! I want to venture out to more small businesses, hidden restaurants indigenous to Richmond, and the outskirts.
If you're reading this and you know of some great places to visit in Richmond, don't be shy and leave a comment!
Thanks loves. NB
Monday, September 16, 2013
Miss 7-11? Really America?
Imagine that you have just been crowned Miss America. The feeling is pretty great, right? Well not if you're an Indian American - based on our current society. For the first time in pageant history, the new Miss America is neither white, African American, or Latin. This should be something new and exciting to celebrate in our society, but instead it's something that has caused a flood of racism comments.
On Sunday night, after Nina Davuluri was pronounced Miss America, the social media world went ballistic. The hashtag #missamerica remained the worldwide top trending topic for the whole night following on until the day after. People were tweeting such things relating to Al-Qaeda like "Congratulations Al-Qaeda. Our Miss America is one of you." - @Blayne_MkltRai. Targeting a more cultural aspect, one person tweeted: “Miss America? You mean Miss 7-11.” - @JPLman95.
Most of the racism comments put on social media targeted Nina as if she was a Muslim. Comments relating to Al-Qaeda and 9-11 just goes to show how completely and utterly ignorant people can really be. Nina isn't a Muslim. The fact that Nina's dark skin and hair automatically categorized her as a terrorist worries me for the future of our society. Even if Nina was a Muslim, it is not right to generalize a person to a specific organization based on their religion or race.
Lets not forget the fact that Miss America is a BEAUTY pageant. Contestants go on this show so that they can prove to America they are beautiful inside and out. There is obviously something in Nina that the judges saw as beautiful and that could benefit to our society. People who are making these derogatory comments against her fail to see the beauty in her and just go right to the physical aspect. The insensitive racist reactions toward Nina portrays the inability of Americans to accept the fact that there are other types of beauty out there that are less Vanilla and more culture based.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Fitness 101
Hello everyone!
So as you can see, I haven't been blogging much lately, mostly because this semester has been kicking my butt! However, I have been finding some time for the gym. I have gotten into this routine of going to the gym almost every day of the week and I thought I would share some of my experiences/tips with anyone who cares.
As some of you may know, I attend VCU, meaning I have access to one of the BEST gyms in the world! Okay, I wouldn't say world, but that gym is just awesome. With over 185 pieces of fitness equipment, two heated indoor pools, a 4 court gymnasium center, indoor running track, 2 racquetball courts, 7 weight circuits, and much more, this is the place to be if you want to get that summer body.
To start out, I'm just gonna give you guys the basics when it comes to working out in general and some of the things I've picked up along the way:
1. CARDIO, CARDIO, and wait did I mention CARDIO?
If you are aiming to lose weight, the best and most effective way to do this is with cardio exercise. This can be anything from the treadmill, elliptical, StairMaster, walking, take your pick! The goal is to get your heart rate going so your body can sweat, therefore causing you to lose calories and burn off all that fat! Of course, that's not all you need in order to lose weight; you also have to watch what you eat! Keep it simple; chicken, vegetables, brown rice, fish, salad, fruits: Just naming some of the few things that are good to eat when you're trying to watch your figure. Eat right and do cardio!
2. WATER
Water is one of the best tools for weight loss. Other than the fact that water has no calories, no carbs, and no sugar, it is actually a great appetite suppressant. Most of the time, when you think you're hungry, you could actually just be really thirsty without even knowing it. Water is also a good replacement for high calorie drinks such as soda, juice, and alcohol. Lack of water (dehydration) can sap your energy and make you feel tired which can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, and other symptoms we don't need. Drink water before, during, and after your workout and I promise you will thank me later!
3. CHANGE IT UP
A lot of the times when people workout, they tend to get into the same routine. If you do the same workout every single day, your body gets used to that workout and it will not have the same effect anymore. Instead of going on the same machines all the time, change it up and do something different. Maybe add some more time to the elliptical, or go on the treadmill first instead of last. Higher up the level on the StairMaster, do some crunches instead of sit ups. Minor things like just changing the resistance on a machine will do, so make sure your body doesn't get used to the same workout routine!
4. DID SOMEONE SAY SQUATS?
Squats are a definite must in everyone's workout routine. Whether you're looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or get that booty you've always wanted, squats are the way to go! Squats are great because it's an exercise that triggers many parts of your body all at once. It's a great way to build muscle because most of the weight goes on your legs and back which put on the most muscle in the shortest amount of time. Make sure to keep your back flat, elbows high, chest up and out, and your abs tight.
5. INTERVAL TRAINING
Last but definitely not least, INTERVAL TRAINING. Some of you may be thinking, whaaa? Interval training is a series of low-to-high intensity exercise workouts interspersed with rest or relief periods. For example, if you were on a treadmill, interval training would be to sprint really fast on whatever speed you're comfortable for 1 minute and then walk for about 1-2 minutes. This is personally my favorite thing to do while working out because it is ridiculously effective if you want to lose weight fast. In my junior year of high school, I lost 30 pounds because of interval training and the only equipment I had was a rusty old treadmill in my basement. If you're looking to lose weight fast, try interval training on any type of cardio machine and just wait for the results.
Happy working out! :)
So as you can see, I haven't been blogging much lately, mostly because this semester has been kicking my butt! However, I have been finding some time for the gym. I have gotten into this routine of going to the gym almost every day of the week and I thought I would share some of my experiences/tips with anyone who cares.
As some of you may know, I attend VCU, meaning I have access to one of the BEST gyms in the world! Okay, I wouldn't say world, but that gym is just awesome. With over 185 pieces of fitness equipment, two heated indoor pools, a 4 court gymnasium center, indoor running track, 2 racquetball courts, 7 weight circuits, and much more, this is the place to be if you want to get that summer body.
To start out, I'm just gonna give you guys the basics when it comes to working out in general and some of the things I've picked up along the way:
1. CARDIO, CARDIO, and wait did I mention CARDIO?
If you are aiming to lose weight, the best and most effective way to do this is with cardio exercise. This can be anything from the treadmill, elliptical, StairMaster, walking, take your pick! The goal is to get your heart rate going so your body can sweat, therefore causing you to lose calories and burn off all that fat! Of course, that's not all you need in order to lose weight; you also have to watch what you eat! Keep it simple; chicken, vegetables, brown rice, fish, salad, fruits: Just naming some of the few things that are good to eat when you're trying to watch your figure. Eat right and do cardio!
2. WATER
Water is one of the best tools for weight loss. Other than the fact that water has no calories, no carbs, and no sugar, it is actually a great appetite suppressant. Most of the time, when you think you're hungry, you could actually just be really thirsty without even knowing it. Water is also a good replacement for high calorie drinks such as soda, juice, and alcohol. Lack of water (dehydration) can sap your energy and make you feel tired which can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, and other symptoms we don't need. Drink water before, during, and after your workout and I promise you will thank me later!
3. CHANGE IT UP
A lot of the times when people workout, they tend to get into the same routine. If you do the same workout every single day, your body gets used to that workout and it will not have the same effect anymore. Instead of going on the same machines all the time, change it up and do something different. Maybe add some more time to the elliptical, or go on the treadmill first instead of last. Higher up the level on the StairMaster, do some crunches instead of sit ups. Minor things like just changing the resistance on a machine will do, so make sure your body doesn't get used to the same workout routine!
4. DID SOMEONE SAY SQUATS?
Squats are a definite must in everyone's workout routine. Whether you're looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or get that booty you've always wanted, squats are the way to go! Squats are great because it's an exercise that triggers many parts of your body all at once. It's a great way to build muscle because most of the weight goes on your legs and back which put on the most muscle in the shortest amount of time. Make sure to keep your back flat, elbows high, chest up and out, and your abs tight.
5. INTERVAL TRAINING
Last but definitely not least, INTERVAL TRAINING. Some of you may be thinking, whaaa? Interval training is a series of low-to-high intensity exercise workouts interspersed with rest or relief periods. For example, if you were on a treadmill, interval training would be to sprint really fast on whatever speed you're comfortable for 1 minute and then walk for about 1-2 minutes. This is personally my favorite thing to do while working out because it is ridiculously effective if you want to lose weight fast. In my junior year of high school, I lost 30 pounds because of interval training and the only equipment I had was a rusty old treadmill in my basement. If you're looking to lose weight fast, try interval training on any type of cardio machine and just wait for the results.
Happy working out! :)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The Disadvantages of Working in the Car Dealership Industry
If someone asked me to describe what it feels like to work in the car dealership industry in five words or less, I would respond with: tedious, aggravating, tiring, oppressive, and demanding. As you can already tell, these words don't mean a walk in the park on a Sunday morning. Working in a car dealership has been one of the most stressful experiences I've ever had to go through. There are so many aspects to consider when working this job. First off, we have the people. Car dealerships are separated in to two different areas. In one wing, you have the business office people; which is where I work. There you will find the people from accounting, finance, and tag & title clerks. These are the normal people. Their personalities are great, they're easy to get along with, and they give you a good laugh from time to time. In the other wing of the building, you will find the guys who actually sell the cars; the showroom dudes. These are the snobby, conceited, and stuck-up dudes. There may be a few encounters throughout the day where wing one and wing two have to communicate with each other. These encounters don't really last long and usually end with the lack of a "thank you."
The other gruesome aspect of this tiresome industry is the disorganization. I cannot begin to tell you how many files have been misplaced through all the times I've worked here. Apparently these files, or "deals," disappear into thin air and can never be found again. It gets moved from department to department and we never see them again. You wanna hear the worst part? On average, we sell between 600-800 cars a month, which in our world, is a lot. Therefore, the deals just keep piling up and it becomes extremely difficult to keep up with all the mess. In almost all cases, there's always something that's missing.
The environment of this industry solely depends on the people you're with. I lucked out with being put in the Tag & Title department. Even though the work overload gets a little too much sometimes, they can still find the time to crack a joke. I worked in the accounting department for my first month there and it was too stressful for my liking. The people who worked there seemed like the type of people who couldn't wait to go home and drown a bottle of whiskey down. It became easier by day to tell who was guilty of that, if you know what I mean. Anyways, I'm getting off topic now but I would just like to end this by saying: try to avoid working in the car industry as much as possible in the future. I'm a seasonal worker, therefore I only work in the Summer, Winter and maybe Spring. It's a great way to pile up some extra cash while I'm not in school but don't think for one second that I'd work this job for a living in my near future. NB
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Hate Is a Strong Word
Dictionary.com defines hate as:
to feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest.
Ever since the release of Taylor Swift's fourth album, Red hit the shelves, many people started to form strong opinions against her. A couple of recurring ones include 'I hate Taylor Swift because she can't sing, or because she's not country anymore'.
What in your right mind makes you think that's a legitimate reason to hate somebody? Unless you have a personal relationship with that person, hating them is not the word to use. If they have not done anything to offend you or insult your dignity in any way, then it gives you no right to say you hate them. Saying you dislike something is perfectly fine; it's definitely more reasonable than saying you feel hatred towards the person. Taylor Swift is the type of artist who revolves her life around the fans. Every album, every song, every lyric, has meaning behind it because it's what we want to hear. Swift is unique in that she doesn't follow in the same footsteps as other celebrities; like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, etc. You get my drift.
Anyways, I'm going off topic here. But the point to remember is that just because someone can't sing or seems a little too immature for you, doesn't mean you should hate them. Hate is a strong word. NB
to feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest.
Ever since the release of Taylor Swift's fourth album, Red hit the shelves, many people started to form strong opinions against her. A couple of recurring ones include 'I hate Taylor Swift because she can't sing, or because she's not country anymore'.
What in your right mind makes you think that's a legitimate reason to hate somebody? Unless you have a personal relationship with that person, hating them is not the word to use. If they have not done anything to offend you or insult your dignity in any way, then it gives you no right to say you hate them. Saying you dislike something is perfectly fine; it's definitely more reasonable than saying you feel hatred towards the person. Taylor Swift is the type of artist who revolves her life around the fans. Every album, every song, every lyric, has meaning behind it because it's what we want to hear. Swift is unique in that she doesn't follow in the same footsteps as other celebrities; like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, etc. You get my drift.
Anyways, I'm going off topic here. But the point to remember is that just because someone can't sing or seems a little too immature for you, doesn't mean you should hate them. Hate is a strong word. NB
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Finding Nemo Gets Lost....Again!?
Do you remember that cute little clownfish back in 2003 who got abducted and separated from his father deep down in the sea? I think his name was...Nemo.
We all fell in love with Nemo and rooted for his father when they finally found each other again. Everyone lived happily ever after. That is, until director Andrew Stanton decides to make Finding Nemo a sequel as his new project. This can turn into either the best idea ever or it could turn out like Cars 2. The sequel could just be dragging the idea further out than it needs to, in hopes of it becoming a big hit. With that being said, the sequel does have potential of becoming yet another hit. Audiences all over the world found watching Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres together on screen to be the most entertaining thing in the world. With Dory's short-term memory loss and Marlin's overly protective attitude, the two characters could give fans another reason to laugh.
Finding Nemo became Pixar's second highest grossing film ever, reaching over $864 million and won the Oscar for best animated picture. There's no doubt that Finding Nemo 2 would make it big in the box office; mainly because the original captured the hearts of millions. However, some movies are better off without a sequel. The only way this movie can be successful as the first is if Stanton comes up with an idea introducing a different approach all while giving fans a chance to revisit the worlds and characters we all met back in 2003. NB
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Someone Has To Say It
So today I feel like going off on a rant for some reason. I have my moments (: This blog is titled "Someone Has To Say It" because there are many things going on that pisses off a lot of people inside but no one ever talks about it. I thought I should take the time do discuss some various things I've noticed.
1. Instagram
If you don't know what instagram is, (for those of you who live under a rock) it's a photo sharing program that allows you to take a photo, apply a filter, and share it with your friends via social networking sites and on instagram itself. There are some people who truly abuse instagram to the fullest. When I say abuse, it could mean many things. Some people abuse instagram by taking 100 pictures of themselves daily, filtering every single one of them, and sharing it with every social networking site there is. Another form of abusing instagram would be taking pictures of the most pointless thing just so a filter could be applied to it, therefore degrading it even further. Instagram, in my opinion, shouldn't be used on every single picture you take just so you can see it in a different light, it should be used periodically on images that would enhance its features.
2. Society's Obsession With Pregnant Teenagers
As I was flipping through some channels, I came across a commercial for Teen Mom 4. Really though? As if the last three years wasn't enough, MTV decides to follow the same teenagers once again. The show becomes more and more pointless within each season. What else could possibly happen to these teenagers that we would care about watching? I understand 16 & Pregnant. Having a new season every year is fine because it portrays a new character each episode. Teen Mom has been following the same girls for the past four years and it's getting too repetitive.
3. Boots With Shorts
I'm sure people have noticed this huge fashion mishap, but I thought I would take the liberty and talk about it. I'm not gonna lie, I am not a big fashion person to begin with but I know what looks right and what looks wrong. When it's freezing cold outside or even just normal weather, wearing shorts with boots just looks wrong. It's like... are you cold on your feet but not on your legs? I just don't understand. I'm stopping there.
I shall end my rant here. NB
1. Instagram
If you don't know what instagram is, (for those of you who live under a rock) it's a photo sharing program that allows you to take a photo, apply a filter, and share it with your friends via social networking sites and on instagram itself. There are some people who truly abuse instagram to the fullest. When I say abuse, it could mean many things. Some people abuse instagram by taking 100 pictures of themselves daily, filtering every single one of them, and sharing it with every social networking site there is. Another form of abusing instagram would be taking pictures of the most pointless thing just so a filter could be applied to it, therefore degrading it even further. Instagram, in my opinion, shouldn't be used on every single picture you take just so you can see it in a different light, it should be used periodically on images that would enhance its features.
2. Society's Obsession With Pregnant Teenagers
As I was flipping through some channels, I came across a commercial for Teen Mom 4. Really though? As if the last three years wasn't enough, MTV decides to follow the same teenagers once again. The show becomes more and more pointless within each season. What else could possibly happen to these teenagers that we would care about watching? I understand 16 & Pregnant. Having a new season every year is fine because it portrays a new character each episode. Teen Mom has been following the same girls for the past four years and it's getting too repetitive.
3. Boots With Shorts
I'm sure people have noticed this huge fashion mishap, but I thought I would take the liberty and talk about it. I'm not gonna lie, I am not a big fashion person to begin with but I know what looks right and what looks wrong. When it's freezing cold outside or even just normal weather, wearing shorts with boots just looks wrong. It's like... are you cold on your feet but not on your legs? I just don't understand. I'm stopping there.
I shall end my rant here. NB
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Victim of Ignorance and Racism
Have you ever faced racism right in the face? Have you ever been the victim of somebody's pure ignorance? Have you ever been so offended by a derogatory term that you start to doubt the society you live in? I have.
It was just another regular day. I decided to get a tan from the nearest tanning salon on Broad street, called Fan Tan. I walked in the store with a positive attitude, ready to embark on an experience I've never tried before.. tanning that is. The owner of the store, middle aged white male, asked me what my nationality was. I felt a little puzzled that he wanted to know this information when I was just going for a tan. I told him I was half Egyptian and half Lebanese. I will never forget his response. He looked at me and said "Oh, so you're a Muslim terrorist."
I could not believe my ears. This man, that I met literally two minutes prior, just called me a terrorist. I have never been so offended in my entire life. It was the first time I faced racism right in the face. I've heard of many stories about racism in the world but I've never had an experience where I was the victim. It makes you rethink people in general. You start to wonder, if this guy that I just met has the audacity to call me a terrorist, what do other people think? If racism is so blatantly put out there, what sign are we giving our future children? Are they going to step into a world of discrimination and prejudice? I would be sounding unreasonable if I were to say that racism is going to stop eventually and everyone is just going to accept one another. That's not the ugly truth. The truth is, people are going to put you down for whatever reason. It may be because of your skin color, heritage, gender, you name it. It's still going to exist. I've realized that the only way to become at peace with situations like these is to be the bigger person. Look down at their ignorance with pure disgust and be proud of the fact that you are more educated and would be taken more seriously as a person in this society. Making fun of someone because they are of a certain heritage is pure ignorance at its finest. What makes that okay? It's 2012. I didn't know people that ignorant still existed in this world. Yes, this traces back to 9/11. The idea of generalizations and how Muslims were thrown under the bus and placed under a microscope. It just isn't fair. Anyone who generalizes a major group of innocent people that have nothing to do with the matter shouldn't be taken seriously as human beings.
The point to remember: Racism is still going to exist wherever you go. Whether you're walking to class, picking up a gallon of milk from the market, or just walking into a store, racism can sneak up on you. Obviously I had no idea a situation like this would happen to me walking into a tanning salon. But it did. I've learned to accept it. In a way, I'm glad this happened. I can already tell that this experience is making me a stronger person. NB
It was just another regular day. I decided to get a tan from the nearest tanning salon on Broad street, called Fan Tan. I walked in the store with a positive attitude, ready to embark on an experience I've never tried before.. tanning that is. The owner of the store, middle aged white male, asked me what my nationality was. I felt a little puzzled that he wanted to know this information when I was just going for a tan. I told him I was half Egyptian and half Lebanese. I will never forget his response. He looked at me and said "Oh, so you're a Muslim terrorist."
I could not believe my ears. This man, that I met literally two minutes prior, just called me a terrorist. I have never been so offended in my entire life. It was the first time I faced racism right in the face. I've heard of many stories about racism in the world but I've never had an experience where I was the victim. It makes you rethink people in general. You start to wonder, if this guy that I just met has the audacity to call me a terrorist, what do other people think? If racism is so blatantly put out there, what sign are we giving our future children? Are they going to step into a world of discrimination and prejudice? I would be sounding unreasonable if I were to say that racism is going to stop eventually and everyone is just going to accept one another. That's not the ugly truth. The truth is, people are going to put you down for whatever reason. It may be because of your skin color, heritage, gender, you name it. It's still going to exist. I've realized that the only way to become at peace with situations like these is to be the bigger person. Look down at their ignorance with pure disgust and be proud of the fact that you are more educated and would be taken more seriously as a person in this society. Making fun of someone because they are of a certain heritage is pure ignorance at its finest. What makes that okay? It's 2012. I didn't know people that ignorant still existed in this world. Yes, this traces back to 9/11. The idea of generalizations and how Muslims were thrown under the bus and placed under a microscope. It just isn't fair. Anyone who generalizes a major group of innocent people that have nothing to do with the matter shouldn't be taken seriously as human beings.
The point to remember: Racism is still going to exist wherever you go. Whether you're walking to class, picking up a gallon of milk from the market, or just walking into a store, racism can sneak up on you. Obviously I had no idea a situation like this would happen to me walking into a tanning salon. But it did. I've learned to accept it. In a way, I'm glad this happened. I can already tell that this experience is making me a stronger person. NB
Thursday, April 5, 2012
An Epidemeic - Child Obesity
For my focused inquiry class, we need to write a five page argumentative essay discussing a problem of your choice affecting the U.S. After finding out a problem, we need to come up with a main claim, which is basically a call to action in fixing this problem. I chose child obesity because it is simply something that I am interested in. When I see obese children, all I think about is how they are just victims. For the most part, it is not these children's choice to become obese. So who's to blame?
The way I see it, the determining factor of what makes a child obese is their environment. Sure, genetics plays an important role but the way they grew up and the things that surround them is what's the most vital thing. My main claim for this essay was that the healthiest choice should be the easiest choice. Many school cafeterias are packed with foods that are high in fat, sodium, sugar, and many other artificial ingredients that are toxins to the body. Obviously these children are not going to make the decision to choose something healthier if they have the option of eating fatty foods that are delicious in their eyes. A child's elementary and middle school years are the peak years of their nutrition. Learning the importance of healthy eating and practicing it at such a young age will help encourage them to continue on with that lifestyle as they grow older. Some students can't afford to bring their own lunch to school everyday and have to rely on the free or discounted lunch they receive from cafeterias. Because of this very reason, some students are stuck with eating foods that aren't good for their health. Instead of putting greasy fries for a side, the option should be baked chips or a whole fruit. Instead of selling chocolate chip cookies, they should put oatmeal cookies instead. Minor changes like these can make a big difference in a child's life.
Another factor that I think leads to child obesity is the lack of time spent outside and playing sports. These days, children go straight from school and right to their television sets and spend hours and hours playing video games and staring at a computer screen. What ever happened to playing outside and riding bikes until the sun goes down? This type of outdoor activity is vital in a child's life especially when they're still growing up. A 30 minute 'recess' time during school hours is not enough time for kids to get their full physical exercise for the day.
These kids are helpless with their own lives in that they don't have the option to choose their own nutrition choices. If a child grows up in an environment where a healthy lifestyle is not encouraged, they're going to grow up living unhealthy. It's important for them to be informed and exposed to healthy eating at such an early age. It shouldn't be difficult for a child to have to pick an apple over a plate of fries. A child shouldn't have the option of choosing a coke over a carton of milk. NB
The way I see it, the determining factor of what makes a child obese is their environment. Sure, genetics plays an important role but the way they grew up and the things that surround them is what's the most vital thing. My main claim for this essay was that the healthiest choice should be the easiest choice. Many school cafeterias are packed with foods that are high in fat, sodium, sugar, and many other artificial ingredients that are toxins to the body. Obviously these children are not going to make the decision to choose something healthier if they have the option of eating fatty foods that are delicious in their eyes. A child's elementary and middle school years are the peak years of their nutrition. Learning the importance of healthy eating and practicing it at such a young age will help encourage them to continue on with that lifestyle as they grow older. Some students can't afford to bring their own lunch to school everyday and have to rely on the free or discounted lunch they receive from cafeterias. Because of this very reason, some students are stuck with eating foods that aren't good for their health. Instead of putting greasy fries for a side, the option should be baked chips or a whole fruit. Instead of selling chocolate chip cookies, they should put oatmeal cookies instead. Minor changes like these can make a big difference in a child's life.
Another factor that I think leads to child obesity is the lack of time spent outside and playing sports. These days, children go straight from school and right to their television sets and spend hours and hours playing video games and staring at a computer screen. What ever happened to playing outside and riding bikes until the sun goes down? This type of outdoor activity is vital in a child's life especially when they're still growing up. A 30 minute 'recess' time during school hours is not enough time for kids to get their full physical exercise for the day.
These kids are helpless with their own lives in that they don't have the option to choose their own nutrition choices. If a child grows up in an environment where a healthy lifestyle is not encouraged, they're going to grow up living unhealthy. It's important for them to be informed and exposed to healthy eating at such an early age. It shouldn't be difficult for a child to have to pick an apple over a plate of fries. A child shouldn't have the option of choosing a coke over a carton of milk. NB
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Twitter Trend Sparks Controversy
A week ago, the hashtag #ToMyUnbornChild was trending worldwide on twitter. Most of the tweets were normal and not controversial at all. However, some people took it as a chance to spark homophobic tweets such as "#ToMyUnbornChild if your gay or retarded I will kill you"
You can read more about this story and see more hateful tweets here
I found these tweets to be absolutely disgusting. First of all, I hope to God these people never have children if they're threatening to kill them just for being different. Instead of accepting their children for who they are, they're planning on disowning them or even resorting to murder. The fact that you have so much hate directed towards your own children just shows what kind of person you are. If a child's parents are not willing to accept them then what makes you think anyone else will? These are the kinds of cases that lead to bullying and suicide. I can't even imagine being born different into a world where not even your own parents accept you. The LBGT community already get so much hatred directed towards them, but the one that would hurt the most would be the one coming from your own family. What these soulless people need is to be educated. Comments like these stem from uneducated people who only portray ignorance. Hence all of the incorrect usages of "your" instead of "you're." After all, it doesn't surprise me that people who can't properly use grammar hold such ignorant views on sexuality. These people are clearly unfit to be parents. NB
You can read more about this story and see more hateful tweets here
I found these tweets to be absolutely disgusting. First of all, I hope to God these people never have children if they're threatening to kill them just for being different. Instead of accepting their children for who they are, they're planning on disowning them or even resorting to murder. The fact that you have so much hate directed towards your own children just shows what kind of person you are. If a child's parents are not willing to accept them then what makes you think anyone else will? These are the kinds of cases that lead to bullying and suicide. I can't even imagine being born different into a world where not even your own parents accept you. The LBGT community already get so much hatred directed towards them, but the one that would hurt the most would be the one coming from your own family. What these soulless people need is to be educated. Comments like these stem from uneducated people who only portray ignorance. Hence all of the incorrect usages of "your" instead of "you're." After all, it doesn't surprise me that people who can't properly use grammar hold such ignorant views on sexuality. These people are clearly unfit to be parents. NB
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
KONY 2012
Imagine 30,000 children getting abducted from their families and forced to become a child army. Little girls being kidnapped and forced to become sex slaves. Innocent kids getting raped and abused with no way to escape. All of this because of one person: Joseph Kony.
For over 20 years, a man named Joseph Kony and his army have been holding these kids against their will and making them impose on these acts just for his own amusement. Nothing has been done to stop this simply because nobody knew about it. A man named Jason Russell recently made a video to raise awareness to Kony so that the world is informed.
You can watch the video here:
http://vimeo.com/37119711
Russell's goal is to make sure everyone knows Joseph Kony's name. He's created T-shirts, bracelets, posters, and flyers to help spread the world. He believes the biggest problem here in trying to capture him and reach justice is the fact that no one knows who he is. Spreading the word yourself can help bring us one step closer to incarcerating Joseph Kony.
Sign the pledge here:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kony2012/kony-4.html
Tell your friends. NB
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Teen Ink Magazine
Here are my articles that got published:
http://www.teenink.com/users/Nourab
You can view the website here.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Gym Time Gone Wrong
I feel like going off on a rant today for some reason. I chose to talk about the gym because there are just too many things I see that really get me in a ranting kind of mood. NUMBER ONE. I hate it when I see girls get all dressed up for the gym and then will do anything in their power to not workout. Like, if you want to find a place to socialize, then go to the mall or grab a cup of coffee. Don't come to the gym and stand there like an idiot continuously talking to a person who most likely just wants to workout. NUMBER TWO. Gentlemen, we all know you want to show off your guns but enough is enough. It is not cute when you stand there and literally watch yourself lift weights. All it does is make you look cocky which is not attractive. NUMBER THREE. This is just something I saw once and I hope to never see again. A girl was sitting on a machine literally taking pictures of herself. Really? I believe my point has been made. NB
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Virginia School District Wants to Ban Kids From 'Cross-Gender Dressing'
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Taylor Swift: America's Sweetheart.
Taylor Swift's self-titled debut album released in 2006.
Her first album quickly caught the attention of many teenage girls across the world. Songs like "Fifteen" that related to the struggles a freshman girl in high school goes through, or "Tied Together With A Smile" that talks about that one friend you have who struggles with body image issues but doesn't realize she's still beautiful were the kind of songs that her fans would listen to while having a bad day. Swift released her next album in 2008 called Fearless.
Taylor Swift's second album released in 2008 called Fearless
Taylor chose the name of the album Fearless for many reasons. In the back of her album, she wrote a quote:
“To me, Fearless is not the absense of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, Fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death.” Fearless stayed at the top of both the country and pop charts for 11 weeks straight. By the end of 2008, Swift had become the highest-selling country artist of the year. Swift has earned many awards through Fearless including "Album Of The Year" and "Best Country Album" at the Grammy Awards. Once again, Swift's fan base grew even larger after this album because her songs could relate to pretty much any age group. In one of her songs, she talks about a day that she spent with her mom and how her mom had the ability to make her forget about all the terrible things her peers had said to her just by window shopping. Swift's songs weren't mainstream or based on what the record deal wanted her to produce. Her music was raw and from the heart, carrying true meaning about the daily struggles that most teenage girls have to go through everyday. Aspects like these are what made Swift to be so likeable by almost everyone.
Taylor Swift's third album, Speak Now, released in 2010.
Swift's third album, Speak Now, deals with love, heartbreak, and romance. Swift was especially proud of this album because she wrote the whole thing entirely on her own. She'd get her best ideas for a song at 3:00 AM while just sitting on her tour bus. The significance of the title means exactly what it sounds like. Swift believes that you should never hold back on what you have to say when you're in the moment. Whether it's a fight with your boyfriend, an apology, or saying 'I love you,' you should always say what you're feeling when the time comes until it is too late.
So there you have it. The amazing, talented, and beautiful Taylor Swift. Swift isn't one of those celebrities who strips down to their underwear while performing on stage or who spends all their time partying and drinking while trying to set an example for fans. Swift is original and has a genuine personality. Her music offers something fresh and new to her fans; something you can listen to while having a bad day, or when you just want to jump up and down on your bed while singing at the top of your lungs into a hair brush. Her songs have touched the hearts of so many young girls around the world and I don't see that fading away anytime soon. NB
“To me, Fearless is not the absense of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, Fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death.” Fearless stayed at the top of both the country and pop charts for 11 weeks straight. By the end of 2008, Swift had become the highest-selling country artist of the year. Swift has earned many awards through Fearless including "Album Of The Year" and "Best Country Album" at the Grammy Awards. Once again, Swift's fan base grew even larger after this album because her songs could relate to pretty much any age group. In one of her songs, she talks about a day that she spent with her mom and how her mom had the ability to make her forget about all the terrible things her peers had said to her just by window shopping. Swift's songs weren't mainstream or based on what the record deal wanted her to produce. Her music was raw and from the heart, carrying true meaning about the daily struggles that most teenage girls have to go through everyday. Aspects like these are what made Swift to be so likeable by almost everyone.
Swift's third album, Speak Now, deals with love, heartbreak, and romance. Swift was especially proud of this album because she wrote the whole thing entirely on her own. She'd get her best ideas for a song at 3:00 AM while just sitting on her tour bus. The significance of the title means exactly what it sounds like. Swift believes that you should never hold back on what you have to say when you're in the moment. Whether it's a fight with your boyfriend, an apology, or saying 'I love you,' you should always say what you're feeling when the time comes until it is too late.
So there you have it. The amazing, talented, and beautiful Taylor Swift. Swift isn't one of those celebrities who strips down to their underwear while performing on stage or who spends all their time partying and drinking while trying to set an example for fans. Swift is original and has a genuine personality. Her music offers something fresh and new to her fans; something you can listen to while having a bad day, or when you just want to jump up and down on your bed while singing at the top of your lungs into a hair brush. Her songs have touched the hearts of so many young girls around the world and I don't see that fading away anytime soon. NB
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Uggs = Sorority Slut?
I was reading The Commonwealth Times when I came across an article about Uggs, unisex sheepskin boots. The article talks about a quote that was said by one of the magazine contributors named Britt Sebastian. He states:
“These boots are designed with a small amount of whoredom in mind. The pathetically uncreative styling of this boot was specifically designed by Ugg to match a pair of black spandex, a North Face fleece jacket and a shirt with some Greek symbols on it. Ugg originally intended to call these boots ‘Open for Business,’ but they eventually settled for the less egregious name, ‘Sorority Slut.' If you have recently been with a girl that wears anything off the list above, save the trip to the doctor’s office; you have chlamydia."
So basically this guy is saying that if you wear either Ugg boots, a North Face, a shirt with Greek letters on it, or black spandex (mostly known as leggings), you most likely have chlamydia. Really? The number one thing I was worried about while joining a sorority myself, was the perceptions people would have just because I'm in one. Automatically people assume that you will change and become a slut just because you're joining a sorority. Anyways, I kind of went off track there but back to the Uggs. Personally, I'm not a big fan of Uggs. I think they are overpriced and you shouldn't pay $150 just for a famous logo. However, I would never judge anyone for wearing them and I especially would not assume they have an STD because they wear a certain pair of shoes. NB
“These boots are designed with a small amount of whoredom in mind. The pathetically uncreative styling of this boot was specifically designed by Ugg to match a pair of black spandex, a North Face fleece jacket and a shirt with some Greek symbols on it. Ugg originally intended to call these boots ‘Open for Business,’ but they eventually settled for the less egregious name, ‘Sorority Slut.' If you have recently been with a girl that wears anything off the list above, save the trip to the doctor’s office; you have chlamydia."
So basically this guy is saying that if you wear either Ugg boots, a North Face, a shirt with Greek letters on it, or black spandex (mostly known as leggings), you most likely have chlamydia. Really? The number one thing I was worried about while joining a sorority myself, was the perceptions people would have just because I'm in one. Automatically people assume that you will change and become a slut just because you're joining a sorority. Anyways, I kind of went off track there but back to the Uggs. Personally, I'm not a big fan of Uggs. I think they are overpriced and you shouldn't pay $150 just for a famous logo. However, I would never judge anyone for wearing them and I especially would not assume they have an STD because they wear a certain pair of shoes. NB
Thursday, January 26, 2012
America's Changing Face
So here I am sitting in my Human Societies and Globalization class when the professor plays this video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6EYasU_nM
This video talks about how the number of Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians are rapidly increasing in the United States. The debate is set between three men including James, who is strongly against this change. James argues that these "illegal alien invasions" will turn us into a third world country. First of all, Martin made a great point in stating that these people James was referring to are still Americans.They inherit the same rights as each an every one of us and believe in the same constitution. He also stated that James is a racist, which I can agree with. There is nothing anyone can really say that would change James' opinion on this issue, but the fact that he classifies these people as minorities is somewhat ignorant, seeing how he was once a minority himself.
An issue that caught my eye was the idea of assimilating, adopting a new culture and leaving the old one behind. James claims how he is worried that not many of these 'illegal immigrants' are willing to learn how to read which may lead us into a third world country. I think if someone has the ability and the opportunity to go to school and get an education, then they should not let that chance pass them by. After all, this diverse population is increasing for the American Dream which is clearly defined as the opportunity for prosperity and success.
Paul Reyes stressed the idea that most Hispanics are different from every other ethnic group because instead of assimilating, they acculturate (adopting a new culture while still retaining your old one.)
At the end of the day, these are all just opinions and there is nothing anyone can say or do that would change that. Everyone has their right to an opinion. NB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6EYasU_nM
This video talks about how the number of Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians are rapidly increasing in the United States. The debate is set between three men including James, who is strongly against this change. James argues that these "illegal alien invasions" will turn us into a third world country. First of all, Martin made a great point in stating that these people James was referring to are still Americans.They inherit the same rights as each an every one of us and believe in the same constitution. He also stated that James is a racist, which I can agree with. There is nothing anyone can really say that would change James' opinion on this issue, but the fact that he classifies these people as minorities is somewhat ignorant, seeing how he was once a minority himself.
An issue that caught my eye was the idea of assimilating, adopting a new culture and leaving the old one behind. James claims how he is worried that not many of these 'illegal immigrants' are willing to learn how to read which may lead us into a third world country. I think if someone has the ability and the opportunity to go to school and get an education, then they should not let that chance pass them by. After all, this diverse population is increasing for the American Dream which is clearly defined as the opportunity for prosperity and success.
Paul Reyes stressed the idea that most Hispanics are different from every other ethnic group because instead of assimilating, they acculturate (adopting a new culture while still retaining your old one.)
At the end of the day, these are all just opinions and there is nothing anyone can say or do that would change that. Everyone has their right to an opinion. NB
Friday, January 20, 2012
Facebook VS. Twitter
By now, almost everyone you know has a facebook account. Facebook started out for a website just meant for college kids but turned viral after myspace went downhill. It's a great place to stay connected with the people in your life, share photos, and update people on your life. So why are a lot of people now moving to twitter?
I am personally starting to like Twitter a lot more than facebook for numerous reasons that many people would probably agree with. Number one, facebook has gotten a lot more boring over the past year. It also has gotten a lot of span lately which makes it even more annoying. Twitter is much more live and the updates can be more interesting than the ones you see on facebook. It can also be entertaining because you can choose to follow your favorite celebrities, comedians, and all your friends! However, I still don't think twitter will be the more popular social networking site because people will most likely stick to the place where all there friends are.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Things To do Around Fairfax!
I'm sure many people can agree with me when I say that 'NoVa is a very boring place to be.' After living in a city for a couple of months where there is always something to do, it's hard to have to come back into the suburban town. However, during this break I found some pretty cool hangout spots right in the heart of Fairfax.
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
I never even knew this place existed until a couple of weeks ago. Their frozen yogurt is absolutely to die for and...it's healthy! Can you say yummy? It's a self-serve kind of thing where you can pick your own flavors--anything from Nutella and cheescake--and then choose whichever toppings you want, then weigh and pay! Find the most convenient location for you at www.tfyogurt.com and enjoy! :)
Malick's Kabob & Restaurant
This place has the best kabob I've ever tasted! It's a small little family-owned business that brings in a lot of the Islam culture. Many people go there on a Friday or Saturday night, smoke some hookah, and just hang out with friends. After 11:00, the music gets louder and it becomes a very chill spot. Here's their website: www.malikskabob.com
Fairfax Ice Arena
What better fun than to go ice skating!? Instead of always going to the movies or to the mall, ice skating can be a great way to do something different and that almost everyone can enjoy. (That's if they know how to ice skate) There's a great place right in Fairfax, this is their website: www.fairfaxicearena.com/ NB
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
I never even knew this place existed until a couple of weeks ago. Their frozen yogurt is absolutely to die for and...it's healthy! Can you say yummy? It's a self-serve kind of thing where you can pick your own flavors--anything from Nutella and cheescake--and then choose whichever toppings you want, then weigh and pay! Find the most convenient location for you at www.tfyogurt.com and enjoy! :)
This place has the best kabob I've ever tasted! It's a small little family-owned business that brings in a lot of the Islam culture. Many people go there on a Friday or Saturday night, smoke some hookah, and just hang out with friends. After 11:00, the music gets louder and it becomes a very chill spot. Here's their website: www.malikskabob.com
What better fun than to go ice skating!? Instead of always going to the movies or to the mall, ice skating can be a great way to do something different and that almost everyone can enjoy. (That's if they know how to ice skate) There's a great place right in Fairfax, this is their website: www.fairfaxicearena.com/ NB
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