Journal Entry 15

(Coco the Great)
Animals have a huge impact on human lives. I personally have a dog that is very well trained and very good. I don't know what I would do without him. When I was going through a divorce, I was crying my eyes out. Coco (my dog's name)came galloping up to me and then started licking the tears off my face. I had felt so utterly bitter and alone. Coco helped heal me. There are many stories about how animals change lives. I was never a dog person until I met Coco. Now I think that I will always have a furry companion around. Can I get a woofwoof? haha.

Journal Entry 16

Wow. That digs deep into my soul. I am an artist by heart. My dream would be to open a photography gallery. I want to capture the essence of human life, still life, just life in general. I would want to sell my photography at a reasonable price to prove that art can be affordable. I want to have huge windows with natural light and do photo shoots all day. I want to make portfolios celebrating my subjects with a quote under each photo. Additionally, I want to sell local pottery in this shop. I want people to come through my doors and feel welcomed, loved, wanted, and special for their own uniqueness. I want to feel alive by everyone that surrounds me. I want to capture the celebration of life. I want my job to feel like a calling.

Now that my soul is exposed, do you have $100,000 to get me started?

All jokes aside, one day... one day...

"Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams." ~ Douglas Everett

Journal Entry 14

Good teachers change lives and help guide students in the right direction. Compassion is key. Tough love is necessary as well. The student should be aware that sailing through anything is not good enough. Hard work is the key to success. I think it is also necessary to not be overly judgemental, as each student has a different personality and way of doing things. My favorite teacher was my friend as well. She taught English and told me that I could do anything. She was like my coach, and suggested that I get out of my small town. I was terrified, but it was also the best decision I ever made. I remember when she said, "Jamie, just leap. Don't worry about the rest- the safety net will appear." I did, and she was right. Now I am not scared to do anything... all thanks to a teacher who chose to stay in a small town to mentor students.

Journal Entry 13

Oklahoma weather---

It makes my eyes watery. I never had allergies until I came to this state. I saw my first tornado here. It was an F3 that hit the flightline on Tinker AFB. I watched it from Crossroads Mall until it hit base. I was so scared yet thrilled at the same time. I told my comrads, "I am from Tennessee. I don't do tornadoes." But this tornado was beautiful. I was enthralled with how it picked everything up, slung it down, and then- WOOSH- it was gone and there was an eerie silence. The skies are beaitiful here on clear nights, and luckily the city is spread out so one can see the stars better here than most cities. If there is one thing that I have learned about the weather if I don't like it--- it would be to just wait a minute- that's just how quickly it changes.

Journal Entry 12

It's funny that men and women's roles in society is this week's topic. I just attended an Air Force women's heritage symposium in Washington DC to discuss being a woman in the military and reflecting on women's roles in history. The best advice that I received was 'Don't tell them that you can type!' I do feel like the roles have changed a bit. I feel like the metrosexual movement killed a man's image and made them feel more self conscience. But women have been feeling self conscience for all of history, so I don't feel all that bad about it. Women are more educated now more than ever. Of persons aged 25 years and older, 27% of women and men had attained a bachelor’s degree or higher; 32% of women and 29% of men had completed only high school, no college. There are more females in law schools than males. But for some reason, women make less money. The median weekly earnings of women who were full-time wage and salary workers were $600, or 81 percent of men’s $743. When comparing the median weekly earnings of persons aged 16 to 24, young women earned 94% of what young men earned ($395 and $418, respectively). In 2006, a record 67 million women were employed in the U.S.--75% of employed women worked on full-time jobs, while 25% worked on a part-time basis. Women accounted for 51% of all workers in the high-paying management, professional, and related occupations. They outnumbered men in such occupations as financial managers; human resource managers; education administrators; medical and health services managers; accountants and auditors; budget analysts; property, real estate, and social and community association managers; preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers; physical therapists; and registered nurses.

These statistics are a far cry from the lady with an apron and perfectly applied red lipstick who had dinner ready for her man when he came home. I think that women are moving ahead. Our education level is already above that of the polulation of men. Don't get me wrong- I am by no means a feminazi. I would love to be a stay at home mother (when and if I decide to have children). But I want an education to fall back on if anything ever happens.

So have the roles altered? Absolutely. But the only thing that is constant is that thing called change.

journal entry 11

Do you think celebrities are really as happy as they seem

Have you seen Britney Spears lately? My answer is a resounding NO!!!! I could not imagine a life worse than one of being told what to do every second. And most of these people are so impressionable that they have no chance to know who they are. Then they are so jaded by fame and fortune and being told what to do that it's too late. These people can have their fame. They can have their fortune. I choose my privacy. I choose to have the freedom to make choices on my own accord. This may mean mistakes will be made. But mistakes made on one's own accord afford an opportunity for growth. Therefore, I feel like a lack of growth hinders happiness.

Journal Entry 10

Society is extremely addicted to cell phones. They are a way to keep constant connection with one another. Got a child that is wild? A significant other that you care about? Now you can keep tabs on them. We are now in a society with instant communication. The addiction can be a good thing. But do you have that thing on in the movies or at a restaurant? Please, I beg, be polite! No one cares to hear your business.

Journal Entry 9

What life would be like to be the prez:

* There would always be a massage therapist on hand.
* Godiva chocolate would always be abundant.
* Hair would rapidly turn grey.
* It would be tough to be decisive when someone tries to sell a sugar coated bullcrap policy when there isn't a lot of time to review it. This would involve a TON of trust in assistants and cabinet members.
* Designer clothes would be free!!!!
* Gloabal warming would finally be addressed as a prominent threat to the world.
* Korea's president would be a constant reminder that wackos are abundant worldwide.
* Road rage would never be an issue!!!
* A great retirement pension is always a plus!!!! (for the record, George Bush Sr. declined his, which was supposedly worth millions)

Jounal Entry 8

"Your best friend’s significant other is unfaithful to your best friend. Do you tell your best friend about the infidelities?”

Here is what I have to say to this: If you stir in crap, it only stinks worse!!!! No, I would not get involved. I would turn my cheek the other way. When the friend finally found out, I would be there for both of them. Otherwise, I would keep myself out of it. No one has any business meddling in other people's business. I say ignorance is bliss. Claim ignorance. That way you can keep both friends, though it may never be the same.