We've all heard the devastating facts and statistics that are brought up daily about people coming home from parties who have been under the influence of alcohol and deciding to drive. According to http://www.learn-about-alcoholism.com/ it's approximated "that eight teens die everyday in alcohol-related car crashes." Following that, "nearly 13% of all fatal car crashes involve alcohol, and of these, 40% involve intoxicated teen drivers." With these statistics alone, they do not provide optimistic views on teenage partying. It then begs the question of whether or not the party's host is responsible for the control of alcohol and the safe mode of transportation home.
To be a proper h0st you must take on a responsibility of who is there, take initiative to call a taxi or an alternative mode of transportation and to ensure their safety. Although it is the individual's personal obligation to ensure their own safety, matters must be taken into the host's hands. After all, is it not a reflexive reaction to protect the people close to you? Even if there is a situation where the person is not a close friend, does that justify an absolute abandonment of another human being? There will be a litter of excuses thrown at the host by drunken guests such as:
"I drive better drunk."
"I live right there."
"I have no money."
"I can't leave my car here."
"I've only had a couple."
"I'm d-ood to g-rive! I mean, I'm good to drive!"
Etc.
All of these "reasons" why the guest should drive home while intoxicated must be shot down by the host. It's only a burden for a minute or two to call a taxi, spend ten dollars, and to potentially save someone's life.
http://www.learn-about-alcoholism.com/underage-drinking-statistics.html
June 5, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Cinderella Story: Stepsister version
As her delicate size seven feet slipped into the glass slipper all four of us held our breaths. I knew in an instant that the shoe would not fit because it was mine. Gustaaf designed it especially for me, Drizella. I remember him saying, "Ella dahling, this will drive the men wild!" Her tiny feet could never fit into my seven and three-quarter glass pumps. I remember last night like it was yesterday. In fact, it was yesterday...
His hand was placed easily at my waist spinning me closer and closer as the sounds of the violin's waltz encompassed us into a dream-like state. Faster and faster we spun until I realized my motion sickness had gotten the best of me and I needed to rest. A girl can only spin so long in heels. He politely got me some peach punch with a hint of citrus. We chatted about things like the crystals in the seventy-two year old chandelier given to him by his grandmother, whether Monsieur Richard's toupe was visible to the naked eye and how when the light hit me just so, I looked remarkably like Drew Barrymore. It was an enchanting evening with lots of flirtation and courteous gestures. After all, he was The Prince. He didn't even need a first name that's how prince-like he was. I stared in awe as he talked about how cream of broccoli was his favorite type of soup and that he was a huge cracker fan when it came to crushing them up and creating a thick, viscous-like mixture. During all this, I counted flecks of green in his eyes and wondered how long it would take for me to win his heart. He had most assuredly had won mine. Hopefully it would be a speedy engagement and we could then live happily ever after. He took me outside to further discuss if I was capable of creating such a mixture in the kitchen when I began to sneeze not once, not twice, but three times. Immediately I knew it was because of that cursed Cinderella. It was because of her horrid perfume in which she knew I was allergic. Sure enough, I saw her creep up and start to chat up my man, The Prince. Just as I was about to tell the Cinderella who was boss, the clock struck twelve. My mother hated it when I was late and quite frankly, I was a busy woman who had many things to do. Like finish her English blogs, for example. My English teacher would be furious if they were not done. So against my better judgement, I hurried home leaving Cinderella and my Prince to flirt and converse amongst the stars. However, in my frantic hurry, I lost my shoe! Don't tell Gustaaf about that because he'd be furious if he knew. So that night, I lost my love, my shoe and a little bit of my dignity.
So that brings us back to the present. As Cindersoot's delicate foot slips into the glass slipper, I am more than delighted to see her face when her foot does not fit. My Prince will then turn to me and we will undoubtedly live wonderfully and happily ever after. But what is this?! Her foot fits just fine! It isn't big for her at all! Gustaaf promised that he only made one pair of glass slippers and I am most assured that he would not lie to me! And there my prince goes, sweeping Cinderella off her feet and living my happily ever after. I scornfully turn and wish them a terrible life and just as I turn back to see my glass slipper on her foot, I notice two small, white and round globs of Winterfresh gum glued to the bottom of her foot. Cheater. There goes my happily ever after...
His hand was placed easily at my waist spinning me closer and closer as the sounds of the violin's waltz encompassed us into a dream-like state. Faster and faster we spun until I realized my motion sickness had gotten the best of me and I needed to rest. A girl can only spin so long in heels. He politely got me some peach punch with a hint of citrus. We chatted about things like the crystals in the seventy-two year old chandelier given to him by his grandmother, whether Monsieur Richard's toupe was visible to the naked eye and how when the light hit me just so, I looked remarkably like Drew Barrymore. It was an enchanting evening with lots of flirtation and courteous gestures. After all, he was The Prince. He didn't even need a first name that's how prince-like he was. I stared in awe as he talked about how cream of broccoli was his favorite type of soup and that he was a huge cracker fan when it came to crushing them up and creating a thick, viscous-like mixture. During all this, I counted flecks of green in his eyes and wondered how long it would take for me to win his heart. He had most assuredly had won mine. Hopefully it would be a speedy engagement and we could then live happily ever after. He took me outside to further discuss if I was capable of creating such a mixture in the kitchen when I began to sneeze not once, not twice, but three times. Immediately I knew it was because of that cursed Cinderella. It was because of her horrid perfume in which she knew I was allergic. Sure enough, I saw her creep up and start to chat up my man, The Prince. Just as I was about to tell the Cinderella who was boss, the clock struck twelve. My mother hated it when I was late and quite frankly, I was a busy woman who had many things to do. Like finish her English blogs, for example. My English teacher would be furious if they were not done. So against my better judgement, I hurried home leaving Cinderella and my Prince to flirt and converse amongst the stars. However, in my frantic hurry, I lost my shoe! Don't tell Gustaaf about that because he'd be furious if he knew. So that night, I lost my love, my shoe and a little bit of my dignity.
So that brings us back to the present. As Cindersoot's delicate foot slips into the glass slipper, I am more than delighted to see her face when her foot does not fit. My Prince will then turn to me and we will undoubtedly live wonderfully and happily ever after. But what is this?! Her foot fits just fine! It isn't big for her at all! Gustaaf promised that he only made one pair of glass slippers and I am most assured that he would not lie to me! And there my prince goes, sweeping Cinderella off her feet and living my happily ever after. I scornfully turn and wish them a terrible life and just as I turn back to see my glass slipper on her foot, I notice two small, white and round globs of Winterfresh gum glued to the bottom of her foot. Cheater. There goes my happily ever after...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Chosen Fate
In both the literary works, "The Road Not Taken" and "Slumdog Millionaire" there lies a message that conveys that one chooses their own path or "destiny" in life. Robert Frost outlines in his poem that "two roads [are] diverged in a yellow wood[.]" He explains his indecision as he knows he "[can] not travel both" but looks "down one as far as [he] could to where it [bends] in the undergrowth[.]" This is parallelled in the novel when Ram makes the decision to leave Mumbai after believing he just killed Gudiya's father, Shantarum. Ram visualizes the consequences of staying in the city and envisions being arrested, tortured, and eventually put to death by the crime that he commits. Mr. Frost then describes in his poem that he takes the path that appears to be less travelled upon and endeavors on a journey with no regrets. In the book, Ram journeys on a very unconventional path as well to finally conclude with a happy ending. He struggles through many obstacles that involves abuse, violence, internal conflict and deception yet continues on his path of life without looking back. The author of the poem seems to agree with Ram's choices when stating in his work that he "[doubts] if [he] should ever [go] back" on the path he's chosen. He continues to go on by explaining that "[he] took the [path] less traveled by, [and] that has made all the difference." In the novel, Ram explains to Gudiya at the end that he chooses his own fate and that he possesses no regrets in life because it has ultimately lead him to a succesful one. In both these works, the author's depict that choices will continually present themselves but deciding upon those choices are what indefinitely determines your "fate" or "destiny".
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Because I live in Ok Falls...
Okanagan Falls. Those two words shoot icy daggers down the middle of my spine and render my senses useless at the mere glance of this location. You may ask why I possess such an intense hatred for this place, for it does not appear to be the wicked hellhole in which I describe. You are all thinking, "Ok Falls is such a nice place! It has Tickleberry's! I LOVE Tickleberry's!". Wrong. Ok Falls is not a nice place. It is a horrendous pit of doom in which unfortunate circumstances multiply and reproduce like bacteria in a decaying carcass. Now, I'm getting ahead of myself here. I didn't always use to hate this wretched place. I used to somewhat enjoy my time here so please let me walk you through the reasons of my loathing.
I have lived here since I was two years old. I attended the elementary school there and it consisted of 257 children. That's from Kindergarten to grade seven. Why are there so little amount of children at this school you may ask? Well, because it is Ok falls. Our field trips consisted of walking to the park (a three and a half minute walk) and in sports tournaments we could come undoubtedly last in every single sport. In a school this small, there is little room for originality or difference. Stick to the status quo is the school's motto. I was a short Asian girl with big curly hair who spoke poor English and wore mustard color overalls with bright purple Velcro light up shoes to school. I think I may have stood out a tad bit. However, that's not the point. Our jungle gym was broken and the school wouldn't fix it. They didn't have the money to fix it. Why? Because we children, lived in Ok Falls. Illicit substances were of easy access to mere third graders and vandalization was a constant pastime that citizens of all ages participated in. What would motivate them to act this way? Well, because they live in Ok Falls.
In middle school, I moved to the wonderful town of Kaledan! But alas, after only a few short months my parents decided to move again! Would you like to know where we moved? We moved back to the Bermuda triangle otherwise known as Ok Falls. High school was no different and undoubtedly was a significant amount better than school in the Falls, yet teachers and peers would ask certain questions in which there was only one answer.
"Why are you late for school Joanne?"
"Why did you leave your homework at home?"
"Why can't you run back to your house and get it ?"
"Why are you broke?"
" Why can't you come over?"
"Why can't you participate in "teenage" activities tonight?"
"Why do you hate your job?"
"Why didn't you shower?"
"Why are you on a boil water advisory... for two years?"
"When you went to vote in Penticton, why were you registered as an absentee voter?"
"Why did your car break down?"
"Why did it cost $735 to fix it?"
"Why are there over two hundred thousand kilometers on your car when you've owned it since 2004?"
"Why can't I find your house?"
"Why are most of your relationships "long-distance"?"
"Why must you carry good-luck beads with you everywhere?"
The list goes on and on and on. What is the answer you ask? Well, if you haven't already figured it out by now, read the title.
I have lived here since I was two years old. I attended the elementary school there and it consisted of 257 children. That's from Kindergarten to grade seven. Why are there so little amount of children at this school you may ask? Well, because it is Ok falls. Our field trips consisted of walking to the park (a three and a half minute walk) and in sports tournaments we could come undoubtedly last in every single sport. In a school this small, there is little room for originality or difference. Stick to the status quo is the school's motto. I was a short Asian girl with big curly hair who spoke poor English and wore mustard color overalls with bright purple Velcro light up shoes to school. I think I may have stood out a tad bit. However, that's not the point. Our jungle gym was broken and the school wouldn't fix it. They didn't have the money to fix it. Why? Because we children, lived in Ok Falls. Illicit substances were of easy access to mere third graders and vandalization was a constant pastime that citizens of all ages participated in. What would motivate them to act this way? Well, because they live in Ok Falls.
In middle school, I moved to the wonderful town of Kaledan! But alas, after only a few short months my parents decided to move again! Would you like to know where we moved? We moved back to the Bermuda triangle otherwise known as Ok Falls. High school was no different and undoubtedly was a significant amount better than school in the Falls, yet teachers and peers would ask certain questions in which there was only one answer.
"Why are you late for school Joanne?"
"Why did you leave your homework at home?"
"Why can't you run back to your house and get it ?"
"Why are you broke?"
" Why can't you come over?"
"Why can't you participate in "teenage" activities tonight?"
"Why do you hate your job?"
"Why didn't you shower?"
"Why are you on a boil water advisory... for two years?"
"When you went to vote in Penticton, why were you registered as an absentee voter?"
"Why did your car break down?"
"Why did it cost $735 to fix it?"
"Why are there over two hundred thousand kilometers on your car when you've owned it since 2004?"
"Why can't I find your house?"
"Why are most of your relationships "long-distance"?"
"Why must you carry good-luck beads with you everywhere?"
The list goes on and on and on. What is the answer you ask? Well, if you haven't already figured it out by now, read the title.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Vikas Swarup
The author of "Slumdog Millionaire", Vikas Swarup, was born in Allahabad, India, where he then attended the university that resided there. He studied History, Psychology and Philosopy and became a well know "champion debater, winning National level competitions." After he graduated, he then joined the Indian Foreign Swervice in 1986 due to his high interest in international relations and to explore various cultures. His diplomatic career has allowed him to travel in multiple areas such as, Turkey, the United States, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.
His debut novel, "Slumdog Millionaire", formerly known as "Q and A", has been critically acclaimed to be an international bestseller. It is currently available in forty-one different languages and the film has won eight out of ten oscar nominations along with more than 70 other awards including 4 Golden Globes. He has also published a second novel called "Six Suspects" as well as a short story called "A Great Event".
Vikas has also participated in various film and literature festivals such as, the Oxford Literary Festival, the Kitab festival in New Delhi, and the St. Malo International Book & Film Festival in France.
In his spare time Vikas enjoys reading, playing table tennis, tennis, cricket and listening to music. His wife, Aparna, who is an artist, hold exhibitions throughout India and abroad. Viskar also has two sons whose names are Aditya and Varun.
http://www.vikasswarup.net/index_files/page0008.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikas_Swarup
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Review
Jodi Piccoult's eighth novel "Salem Falls" places a new twist to the historical witch hunt and slams it into the twenty-first century.
Jack St. Bride, a wrongly accused man convicted of statutory rape by a prep school girl with an obsessive crush, has left his past behind him and settles into a small town to start over. While working in a diner, he meets Addie Peabody, an intriguing woman whom he falls in love with. However, a cocky police officer and yet another obsessive school girl finds ways to send Jack back into a whirlwind of a trial as accusations fly and the town is ready to "burn him at the stake", so to speak. As Addie learns of his previous accusations from the police officer, Wes Courtmanche, she struggles to differentiate the truth from the tail spin of lies thrown at her from the court, the town, and even from her beloved father. Faced with another heart-wrenching goodbye from someone she loves, Addie must now sift through the rubble and find the truth about Jack's past and present.
Jodi Picoult has truly created a fast-paced romantic legal thriller in which she creates a captivating storyline where the "perfect" characters are ultimately not what they seem. This is surely a page turner as you will be biting your nails and pulling out your hair attempting to solve the silly riddles and subtle hints left by this author. Overall, this stunning novel will not only leave you feeling fully satisfied with the outcome but will also leave you questioning your beliefs in love, faith and magic.
Jack St. Bride, a wrongly accused man convicted of statutory rape by a prep school girl with an obsessive crush, has left his past behind him and settles into a small town to start over. While working in a diner, he meets Addie Peabody, an intriguing woman whom he falls in love with. However, a cocky police officer and yet another obsessive school girl finds ways to send Jack back into a whirlwind of a trial as accusations fly and the town is ready to "burn him at the stake", so to speak. As Addie learns of his previous accusations from the police officer, Wes Courtmanche, she struggles to differentiate the truth from the tail spin of lies thrown at her from the court, the town, and even from her beloved father. Faced with another heart-wrenching goodbye from someone she loves, Addie must now sift through the rubble and find the truth about Jack's past and present.
Jodi Picoult has truly created a fast-paced romantic legal thriller in which she creates a captivating storyline where the "perfect" characters are ultimately not what they seem. This is surely a page turner as you will be biting your nails and pulling out your hair attempting to solve the silly riddles and subtle hints left by this author. Overall, this stunning novel will not only leave you feeling fully satisfied with the outcome but will also leave you questioning your beliefs in love, faith and magic.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Top 3 Fads of the 90's That I Wish Were Still Here...
1. The Fanny Pack.
Yes, that's right, I said it. I know that all of you miss it. There are no need for purses or scrambling to find your keys because everything is wonderfully organized in your brilliantly designed fanny pack. Money can be found in the very back zipper, closest to you, to save the precious time you normally waste finding the extra seventy-three cents in the bottom of your purse to now show off your very in-style fanny pack. But you ask, the purse is so much more fashionable. However, there are different colours, styles and patterns for this wonderful creation and can be modeled by the hottest stars. Shoulder strain from purses are devastating and can cause problems for your delicate back. But with the newly designed fanny pack, well kiss those problems goodbye. The thought of theft is absolutely unheard of due to placement of this pack and would be awkward if attempted by any male specimen thus dropping the purse snatching rate to a very low percentage. So the fanny pack... think about it.
2. The Boy Band Craze
Where did these boy bands go?!?! Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, LFO, The Moffats, 98 degrees, Hanson, AHA, B44, Westlife, Five, MyTown, O-town. They were all great. So why has the craze faded away? They contributed a great deal to this era and created all of those catchy tunes you got stuck in your head while listening to the radio. The screaming fans, the posters, the world tours, the dolls or "action figures", all of it contributed to the phenomenon of the ultimate boy band. What was it about these groups that made them so popular? It most likely had to deal with a group of four to six ridiculously good looking men with frosted tips dancing in sync and singing that they didn't care who I was, or where I'm from, or what I did as long as I loved them. I mean how can you not fall in love with a group of men who are capable of such extreme talents like that? So I truly wonder why that in the twenty-first century, there is not a higher demand for boy bands to exist.
3. Overalls
Now to be honest, I currently have three different pairs of overalls in my drawer right now. They are of different colours and two are from when I was in elementary school. One of the pairs I still wear to school. However, it is considered to be a fashion faux pas. Why?? These articles of clothing can be versatile for both men and women while creating a very laid back look that screams "I can be comfy-casual and still look like I spent more than ten point two seconds thinking about what I should wear this morning". They fasten as jeans with their deep pockets and can act as the ultimate "bad boy" outfit if the male chooses to not wear a shirt under them. Ladies, they can even be converted to overall style skirts creating a feminine twist! Who needs belts on your pants/skirts when you have shoulder straps? No need to worry about those awful "plumber's cracks" or unwanted "muffin tops". Overalls are the perfect solution!
Yes, that's right, I said it. I know that all of you miss it. There are no need for purses or scrambling to find your keys because everything is wonderfully organized in your brilliantly designed fanny pack. Money can be found in the very back zipper, closest to you, to save the precious time you normally waste finding the extra seventy-three cents in the bottom of your purse to now show off your very in-style fanny pack. But you ask, the purse is so much more fashionable. However, there are different colours, styles and patterns for this wonderful creation and can be modeled by the hottest stars. Shoulder strain from purses are devastating and can cause problems for your delicate back. But with the newly designed fanny pack, well kiss those problems goodbye. The thought of theft is absolutely unheard of due to placement of this pack and would be awkward if attempted by any male specimen thus dropping the purse snatching rate to a very low percentage. So the fanny pack... think about it.
2. The Boy Band Craze
Where did these boy bands go?!?! Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, LFO, The Moffats, 98 degrees, Hanson, AHA, B44, Westlife, Five, MyTown, O-town. They were all great. So why has the craze faded away? They contributed a great deal to this era and created all of those catchy tunes you got stuck in your head while listening to the radio. The screaming fans, the posters, the world tours, the dolls or "action figures", all of it contributed to the phenomenon of the ultimate boy band. What was it about these groups that made them so popular? It most likely had to deal with a group of four to six ridiculously good looking men with frosted tips dancing in sync and singing that they didn't care who I was, or where I'm from, or what I did as long as I loved them. I mean how can you not fall in love with a group of men who are capable of such extreme talents like that? So I truly wonder why that in the twenty-first century, there is not a higher demand for boy bands to exist.
3. Overalls
Now to be honest, I currently have three different pairs of overalls in my drawer right now. They are of different colours and two are from when I was in elementary school. One of the pairs I still wear to school. However, it is considered to be a fashion faux pas. Why?? These articles of clothing can be versatile for both men and women while creating a very laid back look that screams "I can be comfy-casual and still look like I spent more than ten point two seconds thinking about what I should wear this morning". They fasten as jeans with their deep pockets and can act as the ultimate "bad boy" outfit if the male chooses to not wear a shirt under them. Ladies, they can even be converted to overall style skirts creating a feminine twist! Who needs belts on your pants/skirts when you have shoulder straps? No need to worry about those awful "plumber's cracks" or unwanted "muffin tops". Overalls are the perfect solution!
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