Who Killed JFK?

Just this past week I visited the JFK 6th floor museum in downtown Dallas. My dad was briefly in town, and we decided to visit the infamous spot of the JFK assassination. I’d always read about “The Grassy Knoll” and Dealey Plaza, but seeing it with my own eyes was more frightening than I’d expected.

Driving the historical route that JFK drove that dark November day was beyond eerie. Coming around the corner onto Elm St, I felt strange. I saw the huge grassy knoll that everyone talks about, and when I looked up I saw the window that Lee Harvey Oswald shot from.

Before I walked into the museum I saw countless visitors retracing JFK’s steps, with countless books on his death. After about an hour walking through the museum I left feeling confused. While books say that Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK, I couldn’t help but think he didn’t do it alone. Yes, I’m not the first one to think this, but the museum had several different theories presented.

I find it strange that Jack Ruby killed Oswald, before he was ever put on trial. Coincidence? I think not. Also, multiple shots killed Kennedy- from multiple angles. Oswald may have killed JFK, but he most certainly didn’t act alone.

Overall, I think that this conspiracy will never be figured out, but I’m curious what your thoughts are on who killed JFK.

Rehab: The New Trend

If you’re anything like me, you’re obsessed with Hollywood gossip. I watch Entertainment Tonight almost every day, buy the latest tabloids, and even have a favorite gossip website I go to multiple times a day (http://www.thesuperficial.com). I love reading everything from the newest trend in shoes, to whose breaking up and hooking up.

However, it seems that for the past year, everything I read has some tidbit or article about another celebrity entering rehab. It all started with Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Mary-Kate Olsen etc. And now in the past week Amy Winehouse, Eva Mendes and thankfully Britney Spears.

In my opinion celebrities are supposed to be role models, but clearly they don’t get this. I’m not saying that entering rehab is entirely their faults. Take Britney for example. While I believe that she has made some poor decisions, I don’t really blame the girl for going insane. She has photographers and reporters following her 24/7, with little room to breathe. This is a girl who has grown up in the spotlight, and has had her entire life under scrutiny. Where I do think she is at fault is by not taking care of herself. For a while I was upset at how the media was treating her, but now I’m just waiting for her to realize what a mess she is. Hopefully, being taken to the hospital last week via a motorcade wakes her up.

I also feel that rehab isn’t as big a deal as it used to be. Countless celebs enter it for a month or so to “collect their thoughts, and find peace”. Then they come out as if nothing was ever wrong with them. I think that rehab needs to be taken seriously. Younger people are probably watching their favorite celebs and thinking, “oh well, I can experiment with drugs, and if I get addicted there’s always rehab!” Also, there is now a show called "Celebrity Rehab". The media is not only partly at fault for making celebrities enter rehab, but they are not making money off of it.

Celebrities need to be cautious of their actions, and realize that everything they do is going to get to the public. I can’t help but think they’re abusing their fame. They are given so much, and do such great things, why should they turn to drugs/alcohol?

Not So Boring Games

When I was a little kid, I loved playing board games. My favorites were Clue, Life, and Guess Who. Before winter break, I couldn’t tell you the last time I played one of those games. However, some new favorites have been introduced to me, and I haven’t been able to stop playing.

Over winter break, I was addicted to Catch Phrase. For those of you not familiar with it, it’s a fast paced hot potato like charades game- without the acting. My friends and I would play it all the time, and it got pretty competitive. People would laugh at me when I would offer up the idea of playing a game, but once we started playing, we wouldn’t be able to stop. I laugh at myself when I think of how much time I spent playing Catch Phrase over break, but it was a nice alternative when we were bored, or didn’t feel like going out. There are so many new games out there that are aimed toward teen audiences, that you don’t feel weird or too old when playing them.

Not only do we play catch phrase, but also Apples to Apples, and SkipBo. I highly recommend any of those three games when you’re feeling bored, or want to have some good ole’ fashioned fun.

I warn you, Catch Phrase and SkipBo are highly competitive; so try not to get frustrated if you lose!

Here I blog again

A new semester...a new blog.

My first post of last semester was written with a pessimistic mindset about the whole blogging thing. Now having blogged for an entire semester, I realize how fun it actually is. I was able to speak my mind, and got some pretty good comments from my classmates. Now, looking back on it, it's funny that I was actually dreading keeping a blog.

It'll also be nice to have a theme this semester - being happy. I hope I can find a way to incorporate it into all of my posts. I'm also curious to see if those new at blogging will enjoy it. I can assure them, it is way better than doing mundane papers every week.

This post is a bit lame, but I promise the proceeding post's will be much more interesting.

Black Friday

Black Friday is a shoppers dream. It is the day after Thanksgiving, and marks the start of the holiday season. Stores open at insane hours- Kohl’s opened at 6am, Target at 7am etc. Each year during the week of thanksgiving stores such as Kohl’s and Target advertise their insanely early store hours to lure customers in. They have special “door buster” sales and other promotional offers to attract you in.

I for one have never gone to a store before 10am. And why would I? I don’t see the need to shop at Target at 6:00 in the morning to save a few bucks. Unless they were to give away a T.V for every $100 spent or something, then maybe I would consider going. However, I did make my way downtown to go shopping with my parents. Economists say that “Black Friday” is a good way to see how the economy is doing, and how much consumers are willing to spend. I was anticipating heavy traffic into the city, and large crowds of people in the stores. I was surprised when I got downtown in thirty minutes, and was able to move on Michigan Ave. with ease. I was able to get around large department stores such as Bloomingdales easily, and didn’t feel overwhelmed like I thought I would. From my observations, people were definitely willing to spend money. They had multiple large shopping bags, and had no problem throwing down hundreds in specific departments such as shoes.

While I love shopping, I think that the overcrowding on black Friday is a myth. It was just like any other shopping day- although there was a sense of holiday spirit in the stores, which I love. So for those who think that the economy is on a downward spiral, they clearly haven’t gone shopping in downtown Chicago, because while it wasn’t completely packed, I’ve never seen more shopping bags before!

Different Cultures = Different Body Language

I was born and raised in Chicago. I’m used to a fast paced lifestyle, and avoiding eye contact whenever possible. However, since I’ve been in Dallas I’ve noticed that the people down here will do anything to start a conversation, and move at a much slower pace. Also, when they first meet you they are really excited, and shake your hand, and sometimes even kiss you on the cheek. Back home this never happens, and chances are the person you just met will forget you in five minutes.

For example, whenever I’ve gone to Whole Foods, or Tom Thumb, the check out lady/man will start a conversation with me, and seem genuinely interested! At first this was so strange to me! I’m usually in such a hurry to get in and get out, but the cashier wants to talk. Now, after have experienced this a few times it’s kind of comforting. But as far as the slower paced lifestyle- that’s something I am not used to!

Just the other day at Whole Foods, the cashier was engaged in a rather lengthy conversation with the lady in front of me. Now I was in the express line, so I thought I’d get out of there fast. But no! They continued to talk for a good five minutes after she’d already paid and bagged her items. Now I understand that they were having a conversation, but it was making me very impatient. But it does comfort you knowing that people are interested in your life.

This whole idea made me think of Heat-Moon in Blue Highways. While he was on his journey, he met so many interesting people and had some of the best conversations with them. He traveled the USA on small, off-beaten roads and learned so much about himself. I think that coming to school in Texas is my version of the off-beaten path. While I do miss the fast-paced lifestyle of Chicago, it has been nice to come to a completely different part of the country, and meet people with different backgrounds than me.

Will it all be worth it?

Okay, like many of you reading this, you’re probably just as freaked out about rushing in the spring. Today was Panhellenic Preview. For the first time we were able to visit four of the eight houses, and meet the girls one on one. This was one of many activities we’ve had this fall to “ease us” into the recruitment process and make us feel less scared. Personally, with each event, I become more scared! They want us to feel excited (don’t get me wrong I am excited) but I’m beyond terrified! Each time I meet a sorority girl, I’m immediately worried about how I look, if my hair is okay, and what I’m going to say. I obviously want to make a good impression, but I also want to be myself. They tell us to just have fun, and I am, but it’s so hard to have fun when you could think you’re friends with a girl from a specific chapter, that could ultimately cut you on bid day.

As I was walking around to the houses today I was beyond nervous! I kept my cool while talking to the different sorority girls, but I was just so worried. Do they like me? Am I pretty enough for them? Are they judging me? In a way it’s nice that we get to rush second semester so that we can get our grades up, and feel at home at SMU, but the pressure to be on our best behavior is very overwhelming. Especially with websites like “dirtydtown” featuring freshman girls not on their best behavior.

After all this I can’t help but wonder if it’ll be worth it. I can’t even tell you how much money I’ve donated to the different chapters philanthropy events, or how I’ve gone out of my way to impress the girls. I just hope that on bid day, I get into a house I want, and that I really do develop a special “sisterhood” bond with my future chapter.