10.4.11

Education Creativity

There is a lot of talk about education and educational reform. This was posted by a professor of mine onto Facebook (yes, I am Facebook friends with my professors). It was very eye-opening to me. My favorite part: "Creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value."



30.3.11

The Best Feelings.

My friend and Homecoming Parade Co-Chair posted this on the Facebook today and instead of writing about Women's rights, which was the plan, I think this is more appropriate for today. Everyone needs to have one or more of these happen to them today and every single day of their lives. I believe that.

29.3.11

Music = Life = Music

Recently, I decided to mooch off of a friend's iTunes and steal majority of his music including but not limited to 365 Beatles songs, every single Lady Gaga song ever and the acoustic Justin Bieber album. Don't knock the Biebs...I made that error with the Snuggie and I won't knock something without trying it first. And now I'm getting off topic....

Now, I'm not one of those people who uses other people for their music. He's a good friend so stop accusing. The point of my lovely tale is the diversity that music brings to our lives and how some songs make you think of certain situations or people or instances you missed or anything really. The first time I hear a song I never really forget it. Like when I got into my very own car for the first time and Katherine McPhee's "Over It" came on and now when I hear it I think about that moment. Or how a song can make you think of someone such as Rascal Flatts' "Bless the Broken Road." Or maybe how when "Bohemian Rhapsody" makes me think of afternoons riding my bike singing it at the top of my lungs with friends. (Yes, I have friends.)

Music is powerful. It can alter your mood. I can cry at a song, and be completely happy the next song. It changes the way I feel about someone when I know their tastes in music. Music helps to make connections and of course, break them. I love music and it will always be a part of me.

And, so is music taste. I have an ADD iPod named "Titanic" (Get it? The Titanic is syncing?...Ya, I'm hilarious.) I have tastes in variety of Mumford and Sons to Nicki Minaj to Spice Girls. I have both acoustic versions and club remixes. I have rap, R&B, pop, alternative, musicial theater, and everything in between. I mean, I have Eminem and Glee in the same playlist! Okay, now that's just nuts. And I know everysinglesong in my iTunes. The only area in which my iPod lacks would have to be in the area of country music. I struggle with liking that genre, and I'm talking deep-hardcore-county like sundays-at-church-with-my-dog-waiting-in-my-Chevy kind of country. My extensive Taylor Swift collection does not count!

Some songs you just never forget. I will always stand up for NSYNC in a Battle of the 90's Boy Bands arguments. And Britney Spears was better in the 90's than X-Tina (she danced! shesh!). I still know all the words to Mmmbop and can rap most Eminem songs word for word.

Now, music is life. And life imitates music. So I guess, my life (and pop culture) is music.

26.3.11

And 10 days later..

The Madness that is March has taken over. It's not that I forgot about you blogsphere, it is the first time that I have been able to breath. *inhale, exhale* But anyways, I have been keeping this link open on my desktop for several days now and I thought all of you would enjoy it. Just a little dating advice from a girl who reads...

"Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag.She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilightseries.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes."

Hurrrrr is where I got it. Enjoy!

16.3.11

THIS...is American Idol!

Season 10. No Simon Cowell. A funny Ryan Seacrest. And some amazing talent. Best season yet?

I have been a loyal fan of the American Idol franchise since at the young aspiring age of 10 they began airing the series. I was so adorable! I wrote down the number for Kelly Clarkson each week and begged my mom to allow me to call, of course, she said no. But, that did not stop my love for the show. Now, they have had a couple rocky season...Taylor Hicks anyone!? Soul Patrol? I don't think so.

Some of my favorite artists on my Ipod have come from American Idol. The first song I ever listened to in my car was by Katherine McPhee! Carrie Underwood has been inducted in the Grand Ole' Opry and she is also one of my favorites. Adam Lambert...'Nough said. And this season is no different.

They have one of the best seasons ever. I think each one of the top 13 are amazing. They are all super talented and unique. My personal favorites: Casey Abrams and Paul McDonald. They are both brillant! Each week I sit upon the couch with my family anticipating what they are going to do next. And, of course, we judge. And usually we are right.
American Idol Season 10 Top 13

14.3.11

Bracketology

I, like many twenty-year-olds, love march. March is the month of my birthday. It has a day that is entirely devoted to my favorite color, St. Patrick's Day. (Yes, that day is associated with something else, but I don't do that sort of thing...) And, March Madness.

Now, I played basketball for years of my life. I can't say I still love the game like I used too but I loved the game. Everything about it. The skill, drive, dedication and the lifetime bonds that I got from basketball will never be taken from me. Yes, I did just get emotional. Deal.

All right, for those of you who don't have an older brother who watch the selection show for hours upon hours last night, bracketology is the breakdown of the NCAA tournament. The teams are selected by a committee based on win-loss records, scores of games and their own area tournaments. The 64 (selected) teams are then broken down into regions, East, West, Southeast, and Southwest, of 16 teams each. Tournament plays begins, the winning teams are complied into the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four and NCAA champion. Bets are placed, brackets are filled and money is dealed out to the winner.

So naturally I fill out a bracket. Correct, I fill out several brackets. Several. I fill out the one with all of the highest ranking teams make it to the final four and then based on records I pick a winner. Yes, classic and usually wrong. Then I fill out one strictly based on girly requirements: cute uniforms colors, hottness ranking factors, quirky things either about their coach or school, ya know, really important things. And my final bracket, a mixture of both. Which usually wins me the most points because, Iwilllwin! I am competitive and I usually lose with these things but they are fun and seriously entertaining.

Whether you use my brother's tactic of serious deliberation or my father's "Kansas always wins" approach or my mother's "Uh...Bracketololgy?" or the full proof girly version, you will enjoy March Madness. Just don't bet too much because anything can happen in the world of sports.

5.3.11

Your Welcome.

It's Spring Break time and instead of doing the ginormous list of things that I have put off until this very week I found two amazing websites of awesomeness to procrastinate a little more. Here oh and Here. You can thank me later.

3.3.11

Career Choices

Today's discussion is all about the future. Your furture is the factor by you which you will be judged from your junior year of high school until you graduate from college and go into the 'real' world. At the age of 18 you must declare a major. Decisions that you make as a 18 year old acne kid will dictate your 40 year old selfs happiness so PICK RIGHT! AH! The pressure!

Well, luckily for me, I've always enjoyed english and history. Teaching just seemed like a perfect fit for me. Unitl...now. Budget cuts, too much work, and other varying factors have been leading me into the realitive unkonwn. And honestly, it can be exciting. Teaching is still an option and a major passion of mine. Now, the decision I made several years ago will not change. No major 'major' change happening for this girl...

Options:
-Law --> the more history I learn the more I want to become a lawyer. Even today I was thinking, I should be a legal analyist. Sounds interesting right? Also I've thought of a court mediator. Ya know, working with kids in court cases, looking out for their best interests. Or even, my personal favorite, law librarian!
-Editor/Publisher --> You knew as a book nerd that this would be an option for me. Now, I'm seeing it..The Next Great American Novel discovered by ME! I like that...
-Event Planner --> Being surrounded by this in campus organizations sounds more and more appealing to me, and I think I would be good at it.
-Movie Rator --> I love movies. So why not rate them? Also sounds amazing.
-Library --> Yes, library. And yes, they have school for that. I know, I'm not the stereotypical librarian...well people, deal! It sounds amazing to me. Being surrounded by books, magazines, knowledge, readings and research all dang day: AWESOME!

Now, I know, this is just one of those blogs about me and my choices. But honestly, I'm trying to help all ya'll a little bit lost in this tough job market see the versitility that you might have in the job market. Keep your chins up. Keep sending out those resumes. Stay in school. And last piece of advice, Listen to your Mothers!

27.2.11

PostSecret

Recently I've been seeing a lot of activity aka 'likes' from a website called "Post Secret." So, being the curious little bee that I am I opened up a new tab and bing-ed it. (Yes I bing. Bing > Google.) It's pretty neat. It's this online site where people send in postcards with their secrets on them. Yes, pretty much what it sounds like...it is.

I'm not going to share my secrets with ya'll cause, uh, I'm posting my life on this blog. If you really like you really need my secrets....just guess them. Here are my favorite new posts:

This one may be true about me...whoopsie. 

24.2.11

Lack of Creativity

So, I've been thinking about what to write on my next blog. I've 'stumbled.' I've read the newspapers. Listened to random artists on youtube. Heck! I created a youtube actual account. No, videos of my singing and dancing, unfortunately, will not be posted. (Sorry!) So I finally found something to arouse my creative juices Yes that is my blog for today, or lack there of.

Hope your juices flow better than mine. :)

17.2.11

Phobias.

I have like 700 friends on Facebook (yeah..I know. I'm AWESOME! [lies]), 73 followers on Twitter and 2 followers on StumbleUpon, yet one status everyday keeps me coming back, well, recently anyways. A friend of mine keeps posting all these phobias and the super long, and awkward, names for them. So, this, well obviously, has inspired me.

I don't really have a big fear. I'm slowing beginning to overcome my cynophobia aka fear of dogs. Yeah that's right...fear of dogs. According to the big wigs, it's a specific kind of fear and 36% of people have this fear! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Just reading about the treatments and things has given me slight anxiety. It's a weird fear because I'm not really sure how I got it. I never got like 'attacked' or anything. Who knows why we even have fears....

SO these names...let me tell ya, some of them are pretty creative and some of these fears are like super nutso. (I wonder if there is a fear of the people with these fears because I think  I have that one). One from each letter of the alphabet:

A: Athazagoraphobia- Fear of being forgotton or ignored or forgetting
B: Bibliophobia- Fear of book. This one is just sad...:(C: Consecotaleophobia- Fear of chopsticks
D: Domatophobia- Fear of houses or being in a house
E: Eisoptrophobia- Fear of mirrors or of seeing oneself in a mirror. Somedays I have this...
F: Frigophobia- Fear of cold or cold things
G: Geliophobia- Fear of laughter HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHhahahahahah...not funny?
H: Homichlophobia- Fear of fog
I: Illyngophobia- Fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down
J:
K: Kathisophobia- Fear of sitting down
L : Logophobia- Fear of words
M: Macrophobia- Fear of long waits
N: Nyctohylophobia- Fear of dark wooded areas or of forests at night Most sensible people have this one...
O: Omphalophobia- Fear of belly buttons
P: Porphyrophobia- Fear of the color purple
Q:
R: Rhytiphobia- Fear of getting wrinkles
S: Suriphobia- Fear of mice Mom...
T: Topophobia- Fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright
U: Uranophobia- Fear of heaven
V: Vestiphobia- Fear of clothing
W: Wiccaphobia- Fear of witches and witchcraft
X: Xanthophobia- Fear of the color yellow or the word yellow
Y:
Z: Zemmiphobia- Fear of the great mole rat
Enjoy!

16.2.11

Apologizes, Excuses .... Stumble.

I'm not going to bore you with my lame excuse for taking over a week to post again. I know, I know, completely unacceptable. But in search of your undying forgiveness I am going to save your life....STUMBLE UPON!

This is pure genius. It's brillant. I have found so many amazing things just 'stumbling' for like 35 minutes. I didn'twant to stop doing it. New addictions for $200?

These are just a few gems I've encountered.

Hand Dancing
Brillant right? Don't be suprised if you see some girl in your English class randomly moving her hands to the music in her head. Definitely ask to join in...

Always I've found some gem advice for the crazy ladies in my life. Example: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/5fQqbw/www.elle.com/Life-Love/Ask-E.-Jean/Ask-E.-Jean-25-Things-Every-Woman-Should-Know/Ask-E.-Jean-25-Things-Every-Woman-Should-Know
             -Number 15 especially improtant in my life right now...but in general, all sooo good and sooo important. Take notes girls...and boys.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/3vKVVP/www.funlol.com/15926/Mature_people_truths.html
            -Every. Single. One. Of. These. Are. True.

Oh, oh, and I'm now finding friends that blog. Excited face!
Peace, Love and PopCulture.

8.2.11

On my honor...

"On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country; to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law."

At the lovely young age of 10 I had a brilliant realization: JOIN GIRL SCOUTS. I loved it. It was fun and all my friends did it. We went on a really awesome trip to Desmet, SD and hung out with Laura Ingells Wilder for the day. I sold like, a bagillion cookies all with their own little thank you notes. I even bridged! Check it! Went from Brownie to a Junior after just like...2 weeks. Man, I was impression. Yet, devestation hit. My troup ended up breaking up and I stopped being a Girl Scout. Well....not entirely.

My freshman year of college I was the Girl Scout. And not like those slutty sad costumes. I as an acutal Girl Scout. Cargos, tennis shoes, brown shirt and last, but not least, my actual sash from my Junior bridge. Oh yeah baby. Costume of the year to me! Not only did I look like a Girl Scout....I even had some cookies.

I know what your thinking: "Halloween blog? Really? It's February." Nope? Okay, what about: "Poppie...I don't care what you were for Halloween two years ago......" Okay, okay. The Minnesota Girl Scouts recently made some headlines in their refusal to sell those Thin Mints because their camp is up for sale.

Get it gurls!

As the story from the Star Tribune reported on February 4th: it says "it's not an organized push." No ones certain how many will actually boycott but those girls have been taught to stick up for themselves and that's what they are doing.

Even though the numbers for Girl Scouts is in decline and they aren't selling those delicious cookies door-to-door anymore, camps aren't those all summer long shindgs likes those pre-teen movies anymore. And, honestly, those girls probably aren't going to boycott at all. But it seems like those few girls who do are standing up for something that they believe in. Isn't that the whole point of Girl Scouts?

Sidenote: I finished "I am Number Four" last night. Really good; Highly recommended.

7.2.11

One Game a Year

There is one professional football game a year that I watch the entire thing. Yurp, you guessed it: Superbowl. AT four o'clock sharp, I curl up with a blanket and watch the pregame. I'm getting myself prepared for the best 4 hours of advertising ever! Superbowl commericals are, perhaps, my favorite in the entire world.

All right, let's talk logistics. A 30-second spot cost $3 million. So on this page alone, there is $24 million dollars in advertising. And money well spent.

Here are my favorites:

Doritos took home the prize for best all around ads. They kicked everyone's butt...I mean, c'mon how cute was that little pug?! See....

MMMM, cheese. Hello Doritos. (Laughing out loud, rolling on the floor, HILARIOUS DORITOS. HILARIOUS!
So probably my personal favorite entirely on cutest factor has to go to the Volkswagon Vadar. So cute!!!
And then those Eminem commericals. I think he's amazing so this probably shouldn't come as a huge shock that I loved the commercials. The best one of his two is the Imported from Detroit. It gave me chills and I might have teared up slightly. No biggie. :)

Until next year...

3.2.11

"Don't you ever interrupt me when I'm reading a book!"

Let's just start out with a youtube video today:

Hilarious am I right?! Well, I guess it's probably only funny to those of us in the population who have been interrupted when reading a book and get really REALLY angry! Not that I would be one of those people...

So if you didn't know, I'm an avid reader. And when I mean avid I mean I finish probably 2 books a week. I read all the time, when I not doing my homework, studying, or working. Oh reading! Now, I wasn't one of those freaks, aka my brother, who could read at the age of 4 and identify the flag of every state at the age of 6. Nah, I was a 'normal' kid and learned in first and second grade like the rest of the 'normal' people. But once I got the hang of it, I really couldn't stop reading.

Now, I read a lot, yes. But I don't really have a particular taste when it comes to books. Honestly, if it has a back cover, a front cover and some pages with text written on it in between those 2 covers chances are I will probably like it: Novels about love, novels about mythical times, novels about actual people aka biographies, historical texts. I'm not joking here people.

When it comes to those book to movie arguments about 90% of the time I will side with the novel. I love movies but they are a nice accesory to an already perfect outfit. It's like throwing on the pearls with the ring for an fabulous little black dress. It enhances the experience but only when done correctly. All time least favorite book to movie: My Sister's Keeper. But don't just take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

Speaking of books to movies, there are a couple of them coming out in the next couple of months that I need to read the novels. I recently finished Beastly by Alex Flinn. It's a modern day Beauty and the Beast tale, entirely told from the Beast's perspective. I enjoyed it. Can't wait for the film. My next reads: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore and quite honestly, I'm hooked. I can't put it down and I will probably finish it in oh...about a day. And finally, second on my rather tall stack of books to read, Red Riding Hood. Yes, I know the tale but of course the movie is coming out starring Amanda Seyfried and directed by Catherine Hardwicke whom, if you didn't know, directed the first Twilight. Oh February and March are going to be great months. Can't wait!

1.2.11

Oh Mondays

So, here's the deal. It's cold here people! For the past two days it has been freezing, and snowing and schools have been closing but uh, not COLLEGE! There are rarely college snow days so get your butts to class and stop-a-whining. But, oh man is it cold!

Okay, now the reason for today. Mondays. Most times when someone talks about their mondays, they say its the worst day of the week and it's awful. "I feel sluggish and lazy. I don't want to go into work. I don't want to go to school." Well guess what? Since my no-whining pact, which I may have just broken up there by whining about people whining about the weather, I have loved every single one of my mondays. Wanna take a guess as to why?

THE BACHELOR!

I'm obsessed. My life stops starting at 8 PM on monday nights. I say 8 because we, we as in my mom and I, let it record on our handy-dandy DVR for an hour so we don't have to watch the commericals. We don't have time for those! C'mon!

I love everything about this show. The drama, the love, the romance, the cheese-ball one-liners about that special connection, and of course, Chris Harrison! The drama is well, dramatic. Seriously, I'm not exactly sure if it's because of all the alcohol that these women consume on a daily, episodic, basis but shesh, it's awesome! The tears, the laughter, and these hilarious behind the scenes random moments after the Rose Ceremony(This weeks what Ashley trying to stuff a gigantic teddy bear into her suitcase!!) pretty much make my day.

Nothing is better that the 'connection.' Honestly, I'm not really under the influence that this is a perfectly respectable way to find that one true love. But in today's world one must ask, Why not!! It's like match.com but everyone gets to see your matches and see you interact with them. And yes, of course, I would l-o-v-e love to have 25 gorgeous men chasing after my love. Why not!! And name one women who wouldn't!?

The Bachelor makes my mondays amazing. I can't wait to see the next over-the-top totally unrealistic date Brad takes these ladies on next and who's going to cry and make out and laugh and honestly, truly, and whole-heartedly fall in love.

My picks: (Because I know you are all dying to know!)
-Jackie
-Chantal O.

27.1.11

And the Oscar goes to..

I know I'm like three days late with this, but better late then never right? Right?

So here's the deal: unless you've been under a rock for the last week in the entertainment world you don't know but the Academy Awards nominations have been announced. I'm a big, mega, HUGE fan of the Oscars. I'm super-de-duper excited the James Franco and Anne Hathaway are the hosts this year. In my expert opinion, this year the entertainment/movie world has stepped up their games.

See future blog about the History of the Academy Awards! (That's how much I love these things!)

And the nominees are...

Best Picture (All eight of them. EIGHT!)
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King's Speech
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter's Bone
Winner: I'm between Black Swan, The Fighter and Inception. Huge fan of all three of these films. It's going to be a battle that's for sure.

Actress in a Leading Role
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
Winner: I gotta go with my girl Natalie Portman in this one. Her performance was bone-chillingly good. (As was that adjective/adverb!)

Actor in a Leading Role
Javier Bardem, Biutiful
Jeff Bridges, True Grit
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King's Speech
James Franco, 127 Hours
Winner: I'm just following the entertainment's gut and advice on this one: Colin Firth. Although I haven't seen The King's Speech, I've heard he is really good.

Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams, The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
Winner: Amy Adams. She's not our Enchanted princess anymore people.

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale, The Fighter
John Hawkes, Winter's Bone
Jeremy Renner, The Town
Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech
Winner: Christian Bale. Unreal performance. Didn't even recognize him.

Director
Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky
The Fighter, David. O. Russell
The King's Speech, Tom Hooper
The Social Network, David Fincher
True Grit, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Winner: Oh boy, any of these guys. I'm not saying I don't care but they are all amazing.

Animated Feature Film
How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3
Winner: Toy Story 3. Any animated film that can bring a tear to my eyes totally deserves an Oscar.

Yeah, I know I left a lot, about 17, categories out but honestly, I only care about the above. I think all aspects are key to a movie and why I love them so much, but I do not have the right credentials to judge who should win those other ones.

As a fan, I know what I like and when I like it. And let me tell you, I will let you know...until next time.

(Information taken from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/entertainmentnews/academy-awards-2011/nominations.html?sid=ST2011012500006&referrer=emaillink)

24.1.11

In the News...

Top story on the American News today: Officials refusing salary cuts *News Anchor Voice.*

Today's PoppieCult blog isn't going to be on how government is going to cut education budget, although it probably should be. I recieved a lovely forward in my email the other day, yes, I still have email and yes, I still recieve forwards, and yes, I do actually read them. (I don't send them on and no, nothing ever bad happens to me in 10 days.)

This forward titled Newspaper Map *News Anchor Voice* looked promising. So, being the kurious kitten (Like that forced alliteration? Huh Huh?) that I am I checked it out. It has maps of every area of the world and cute little orange dots on it which when you scroll over them gives you the daily newspaper headline!!

Now we shall start with the US:

The front of the Bakersfield Californian, published in Bakersfield, CA had the big news of Superbowl participants and an interesting story entitled, "Pastor gets Pardon." Now from what I can see is the guy was pardon by the Govenator Arnold on his drug felony and then turned his life around and became a priest....Interesting.

From the east coast, The Middletown Press, published in Middletown, CT had the news of the crowning of Miss Connecticut! She's fighting for the title of Miss USA. I think this is an excellent news day for Middletown. I love me some pageants!

Overseas:

London looks to have very similar news to the big newspapers in America. Economic crisis, Middle East conflict, sexist comments towards woman athletes..just another day.

If you wanna check out some news for yourself...have a look http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/.

23.1.11

30 for the price of 1

I'm sick. *cough cough* But for the love of my followers, aka follower, (HI DILLON!!) I felt the need to update. So, the new thing on Facebook is this 30 days of photo challenge thingy-ma-bob. But I'm going to do it in a day, actually 25 minutes, because I live a drive-through lifestyle. Which is the exact reason why I bought the 2 hour whitestrips versus the 2 week ones today using 2 coupons that saved me $15. This couponing thing is paying off. Anyway, 30 Day Challenge:

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts
1. I'm a nerd.
2. I'm addicted to reality television.
3. I work 3 jobs and I'm still poor.
4. I like buying waterbottles, purses (bags), and shoes and scarves.
5. I'm going to London in May.
6. I cry every single stinkin' time I watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
7. My favorite color is green.
8. I don't have any hidden talents.
9. I wish I wore glasses.
10. Someday, I want a big, warm and soft dog to lay on my bed with me.
11. I wish it could be fall year round.
12. I'm an english and history major.
13. I want to be Oprah.
14. I think a camera should follow me around all day and record the hilarious things I say.
15. I cannot sing to save my life.
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Me and my brother
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Glee
Day 04 - A picture of your night
A good book and a glass of ice cold water
Day 05 - A picture of your... favorite memory
A photo at my very first Swing Dance
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Oprah Executive Producer
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
My books....all of my books.
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
A photo of me and my friends laughing and someone caught it on camera. It's awesome.
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
My mom
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with
My friend Courtney
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
I think this would be blank..I don't hate a lot of things.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
BOOKS (I'm catching a re-occuring theme here...)
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
I'm recently obsessed with All Time Low
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
My Dad
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Climb all the steps to the Effiel Tower
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Miss Heinz
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Oprah, lame but true.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Singing
Day 19 - A picture of a letter
Like a written letter?
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Greece
Day 21 - A picture of something you miss doing
Playing Volleyball
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Singing
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Money
Day 25 - A picture of your day
My school bag full of books and binders
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
My room
Day 27 - A picture of your last meal
Soup!
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Dogs
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
My family
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.
Everyone that I have lost touch with
 
I know this post did not have anything to do with Pop Culture but I hope ya''ll will bear with me. I'm going to tackle the newspapers tomorrow. Be excited!!

20.1.11

Too Much To Do

Honestly, I cannot believe how much stuff I have to do. I'm serious I have absolutely no time to do anything so this blogging things original purpose to make me slow down and actually enjoy life is maybe not so much doing it's purpose. But anywayz, besides me yelling and whining about my busy schedule, it has come to my attention that I, at least for about a day, was no longer a Pisces.

Here's the dealio. I could not believe this. I am a perfect Pisces. It is exactly my personality and who I am. But, it might just be me believing that I am my sign and nothing else, but no, seriously, I am a Pisces and always will be. So you can understand my freakout...

But I guess my freakout was nothing. The next time I search and try to figure out my new sign. it's a joke! I'm still a Pisces. Apparently, this new fancy sign is only for people who are born after 2009. So here's my stressful situation: Why didn't they post that originally?!

Oh, and this is just another excellent reason for my life choice to not get that tattoo. Oh, but I'm not sure that's going to stop me! :)

18.1.11

Pet Hate

Pet Peeves. Pet Peeves. Ugh! They are these little annoyingly difficult things that I cannot stand. People with pet peeves actually annoy me more than the pet peeves themselves. Those people just need an excuse to tell someone, "Oh my gosh, stop! That is my pet peeve! Stop!" Those people need a reality ch-ch-check!

Okay, I do actually have a few pet peeves, but I am not that person who shouts out telling people to stop! Nor do I do the other the shoulder, slight glare to force them to stop. So here they are:

The noise that the keys of a cellphone make: I mean, for real, it annoys all of you too. Admit it. The repeated 'click, click, click' and finally, 'click' of the send button. Shesh, it's awful especially when you are like watching a movie or having a conversation with them and they whip out their phone and starting texting mid-conversation. UGH!

Unorganization: When people are not organized it really bothers me. There are so many ways to get organized and stay that way, there really is no excuse. Oh, oh, and then don't expect me to be able to organize for you for your stuff. Now I don't mind being helpful but c'mon, don't expect me to do it for you!

Now, I have two. Two out of about oh a million. Here are some more that I found that I thought were pretty comical.
-Kids who tease dogs through a fence.
-People who sit next to you on public transportation even when there are other seats available.
-Made up car names that are not even real words.
-Celebrities claiming to be environmentalists.
-Chasing after a ping pong ball.
-People who style their hair during Mass.
-Conversational High-Fives: High-fiving at any time other than when one is actively playing a sport

My personal favorites: the high-fives and the ping pong ball chasing. It just goes to show people are annoyed by pretty much anything these days!

My goal today: To not be annoyed by people or annoy people.

17.1.11

Weekend. Mekend. Shmekend.

Most weekends involve sleeping in, hanging out, and consuming all too much food. This weekend I did something  that I think I should share: I watched a different movie on each day. "Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief" "Black Swan" "Easy A" are the ones that I watched, and now, reviewed. Spoiler Alert!

Percy Jackson
I'm a sucker for any history, aka Greek mythology, movie. Especially when there is a super cute male lead. The story line was interesting. Percy is the son of Poseiden and its bomb how he controls water and it's basically him figuring his new life out, saving his mother, and 'falling' in love. It's a good movie, but it's a kiddie version of Greek mythology. So, in conclusion, its not my favorite movie of the weekend. I bet the book is a lot better.

Black Swan
I love it movie. Love it. It has intrigue, depth, and a kick ass plot! It's Swan Lake but modern. It's a psychological thriller and let me tell you, I jumped several, meaning 3, times. Natalie Portman is brillant in this. The dancing, which after watching this made me want to sign up for lessons too bad I quit when I was three, is beautiful. I cannot believe it. It is so good. It better win an Oscar or I might freak out.

Easy A
John Hughes would be proud. It is funny, smart, and a interesting combination of The Scarlet Letter, and any John Hughes theme. Its one of those movies that is great but not Oscar-Black-Swan-good. Olive lies to her friend about her sex life, and this rumor spreads like wild fire. Long story short, she has to battle being the school skank and finally get her love, Lobster Todd.

Movie Ratings: #1Black Swan #2 Easy A #3 Percy Jackson

My action as PoppieCult: to find what I love and fight for it like all of these main characters did.

14.1.11

Cheap! Cheaper! Cheapest!

I've been spending a lot of money lately between school and books and all my other needs like new jeans, super-cute shortie black boots, and my severe scarf addiction. Of course, I need 34 scarves of which fifteen of them are all different shades of purple. But here's the thing that working years and years of retail, by years I mean three, that really makes me slightly aggreviated: Coupons.

Coupons are not the only thing that really gets me. Its the people that just have to make sure and check and make sure that they get their items for the price and amount that they wanted. I mean, really? Your Kleenex boxs are 14 cents cheaper than they were oh...3 seconds ago. But recently it came out this is called "Extreme Couponing." To me, it's just another day on the job.

These couponers, of both genders, have names like Coupon Queen/King and Discount Diva. They 'spend' about $234.90 on items and they get them for $12.34. Part of me really gets annoyed by this but I'm pretty sure it's jealousy. I have no idea how these people do it. I mean, do they collect them for years and know every single return policy and price changes?

So heres the thing. I'm spending a lot money. Now, I am going to be cutting those coupons and checking the sales.

Next actions as PoppieCult: Cut coupons and check those sales.

13.1.11

And now, the rest of the story...

Today was the first day of classes. Everyone is back in action. My day, unfortunately, started bright and early at 8 AM with a little theater action. Let me tell you, it was dramatic. First, my professor sounds like Paul Harvey News and Comment. Which when I made reference to it, no one, and I mean, no one agree. Probably due to the fact that they didn't listen to it as a child at the dinner table. So there I was just waiting to hear the rest of the story and he starts talking about DEATH! aka "Hamlet." By him screaming, DEATH!, I swear half of the room jumped in the air and realized that this class is probably going to be the most entertaining of their semester, as I did.

And now, the rest of the story...

My classes this semester are going to be a lot of work but I guess that's good. Mostly because I am going to be writing papers and reading novels and articles until my eyes burn and my fingers hurt. That's what I signed up for so I'm not going to bore you with that. But I will bore you with my love of one particular social networking website: FACEBOOK.

And now, the rest of the story...

Not only is Mark Zuckerberg the Time person of the year, he had a movie come out and of course changed Facebook...again. Today everyone's profile officially had to be the 'new' version. And honestly, I can't figure out why everyone is whining! I like the new Facebook. It's fancy and neat and all organized. However, 2 things bother me.

One: I cannot automatically delete my friends. I'm lazy and I just want to hit the "X" but noooo, I have to go to their profile and scroll all the way to the bottom and remove. Because of this, I haven't deleted people. I have just been a lot more selective. (Yes, I'm being all selective because I have an up-do. I gotta work that up-do.) Puhlease, tell me you have seen that video!!! No? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTFZyl7hfBw)

Two: To look at people's photos I have to go back to my homepage, scroll down to photos, click on recent albums and see all of the new ones. I thought this was supposed to make my life easier and hassle-free, so to speak, but it has just complicated my life.

And now, the rest of the story...

Contrary to popular belief, I am not lazy. Although, re-reading my 2 problems with Facebook, I seem really lazy. It's really just a couple of clicks away but yet, I'm too lazy.

My PoppieCult action for the day: To not be lazy and worry about a couple extra clicks.

PS "See Friendship" button freaks me out. Way too creepy.

12.1.11

Taking the Blogging V-Card

All right, here's the deal. I'm new to this.*Shocked face!* My goal is not necessarily to entertain you with my exciting life. However, it is to share my thoughts, feelings and I guess, my really exciting life.

Blogging seems like this foreign thing to me. And the little voice in the back of my head, driven into my brain by my mother, to not share too much information online. Whoops. I guess, to me, blogging is going to seem like this diary that I lost the key to or my brother stole it. Either way I'm giving it a try.

Now, a bit about me. I'm a twenty-something, college student about to embark on another semester as an english and history major. So if you didn't figure it out already, I'm a nerd. Not one of those headgear-wearing-pocket-protecting-losers (see Michael Anthony Hall's friends in "16 Candles"). Probably a lot more like Molly Ringwald in "16 Candles" but not as angry? I'm not sure if I'm painting the best picture of myself. Which is probably a good thing for those crazy stalkers who might try and find me.

I do a lot of things on campus and I am involved in a lot of things which in some cases is a really great thing. I'm learning a lot about myself and my fellow students but honestly, it just makes for a really busy life and most of the time I forget the reasoning for why I do the things that I do. Poppie Cult is going to make me sit down, review my day and form actual feelings towards my life. As a goal for the semester I am going to do this. Situations will be stressful, life-fearing, and paper cuts will form but through it all I hope, *fingers crossed*, we can get through it together!

My first official Poppie Cult action is to say: Hey YA'LL!

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