Tuve aprender el espanol en dos mil ocho.

2008: A Year on the brink of "Change"



'08 has been a year that has brought many of us down, but a lot of promises are being made that guarantee 2009 will be a little brighter, and that "change" is upon us. There are a lot of skeptics, but I am trying to stay positive, despite the murkie outlook.




First of all, I'm proud to say I did live up to a lot of the goals I set-forth last year. Such as:

• David and I are still together and lovely (2 years!!!)



• I have managed to keep good grades and I got a GREAT new scholarship that began in the fall.



• I did find a new place to work that is beneficial to my career-goal: Kpt. Times News. I'm working in sports which has been a big adjustment, but I'm learning. Plus, I love a good challenge.



• Made some new friends along the way.



• Bought a "new-to-me" car and on my very own! I love Sammy!



• Yep, I finally got a vacation and it was a great week! (Well there were a few moments I could have done without..brr)



• And I managed to get closer to my family, but there's still work to be done there.

There was only one thing I didn't do: Start playing the guitar again. If only there was enough time in the day!!

2008 Accomplishments/Happenings:

• East Tennessean - began writing in Jan. I got the opportunity to do some really great stories that I think helped me get the job at Times News. I even started my own "go-to girl" column, in which I got to talk about coupons and bargains - so much fun!



• Took my first two journalism courses and loved them both. Learned AP style and some cool old school journalism stories from Mr. Anderson.
  


• Won a journalism award. I was shocked! I had to double check to make sure it was possible that a freshman could win it, but sure enough it was a scholarship especially for first year journalism students. I got to go to a fancy ceremony that lasted forever, but was still fun.



• David graduated!! Then we went to the beach with his family and some friends. Very interesting/fun times I will never forget.



• I continued to work in Financial Aid, even during the summer. It was absolutely the craziest work environment I have ever been in. No stressful situation can compare to crabby, spoiled, demanding college students yelling at you or cussing you in person or over the phone. Plus, the parents make it even worse!! I tried my best to be a dependable worker and the experience really improved my work ethic.



• I took Spanish - over the summer. Man, foreign language is waaay harder than prob. and stats. I was in class Mon-Fri at 800 am. Then worked until 430 and did homework until it was time for bed. It was a very stressful five weeks. I got through it and was ready for college level..Proud to say I made an A and I only have one class left of it.
  


• Got some new roommates. Erica and Kristen are great company and I love all the cute stuff they brought to brighten up the place. Plus, they cook some yummy food!



• Turned 20. Its a confusing age, I'm no longer a teen, but not yet an adult. I'm basically a drifter until the big 2-1.



• Became more comfortable with my own skin. David helped me with that, but I'm still realizing its just okay to be me and nothing more. I think I grew up a lot in '08, but I still have a lot to learn.

Wow, I must say that is a pretty nice list of accomplishments, but I'm not finished. I want to continue to grow in every way possible.

Goals (Not to be confused with resolutions):

• Acquire a more professional tone when talking to others, especially in interviews, in class and at work. I don't want to lose the lovely East TN accent, just modify it a little.


• Write as much as possible and get published somewhere new.


• Get a regular workout schedule going and start shooting b-ball again. I miss it.


• Begin playing the guitar again.
  
• Figure out my minor..bleh!
  

If you got this far; Thanks. I would really appreciate any of your thoughts and comments on this post and/or blog.

Happy Two-Thousand and Nine!

A. Marsh

Casualties grow as opinions weaken

CNN has recently posted a list of Americans who have lost their lives both in Afghanistan and Iraq. The numbers are terrible and almost every death listed has a common theme: an age of early to mid 20's and cause of death by roadside bombs.


Well, here are the casualties:

Iraq: 4,528

Afghanistan: 1,031

The site names each fallen soldier, age, unit, hometown and cause of death. Many also supply a picture, which gives an identity to the soldier, making it even more heartwrentching.

Here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/index.html

To be blunt about it, I really don't understand much about the war that's going on and I don't know if a lot of Americans really do either. I mean, I hope I'm not alone in my ignorance.

What I do know for sure is that this is an issue constantly swept under the rug. It seems to come up every now and again when something big breaks out, or there is some kind of new movement to end it. Just because people aren't dying in the immense numbers as they were in previous wars, doesn't mean that these lives aren't precious and important.

People try to blame the media for bad coverage, lies and bias, but in reality I believe that the media isn't getting any info and in turn is having to scramble for the bits and pieces it can get. Its a tough situation over there that apparently a lot of people aren't comfortable talking about or allowing anyone else in to see it. Is it too dangerous? Or is the government trying its very hardest to prevent a repeat of Vietnam?

I don't have the answers, but people are dying, and young too. It's ridiculously sad that these men with so much life ahead die for a cause neither loved nor hated. The war is simply in existence. We like to bark about it when we hear how much its costing us and we offer our deepest sympathy when we hear that an acquaintance, friend or family member is being "sent over."

I'm guilty of it too. My uncle is currently serving in Africa and has done two tours in the middle east since 9-11. There are many people I went to high school with who are serving. My roommate's twin brother is there as we speak. Yet, I don't show my support and thankfulness for their service and I really should.

I'm not an expert. I don't know if we should stay or go, I'm not trying to tell you what to believe. That's your decision. I just want this country to hold an opinion and really voice it. I don't want America to lose the right to free speech, but I really think it could be taken right out from under our little noses if we don't use it.

Check the website out, read through some names and give them a few mins of a respect.

Happy New Year. Be Safe!

Is our generation ready?

Well after my previous environmental ranting post, I am saddened to say that a "Dominion" Coal burning plant will be making its way into an area near to us. Although Wise Co. VA is in another state, the pollution this plant will emit will more than likely have an effect on the surrounding area. (Well that's an opinion, but Dominion Reps and Gov. officials say that it will be an innovative facility with a significant reduction in harmful emissions.)

I map quested it, and from Church Hill it's only 60ish miles to Wise. TVA's John Sevier Plant is in Rogersville, which is wonderful. Here we are surrounded by this lovely clean air, NOT. I so desperately wish I was smart enough to come up with a way for us to be less dependant on fossil fuels, but all I am really good at is just informing you about it....

So, being a part of the next generation of world leaders, workers, parents, and voters; I think its important for us all to keep our eyes on the future and that means keeping informed with what's going on today.

Celebrity news is great, but there are real issues being decided upon right now, especially in our nation's supreme court system. Within the past week or so they have voted to allow terrorists the same rights as American citizens. (Who would want to be a lawyer for a terrorist? Not me!)
They also decided that people convicted of rape can not be sentenced to the death penalty.

Weather you agree or disagree with the decisions currently being made by our Fed. Government is not my concern. I just want people to care about the issues and what it means for the future.

Okay. I have ranted enough...
Thanks for reading.

Mountaintop Removal Sucks!

Back in the winter I began writing for ETSU's: The East Tennessean. One of my first assignments was to go to a seminar on "Mountaintop Removal" being held on campus. I really had no expectations, just decided to take a pen and paper and see what developed. What I saw that night was heart wrenching. These communities throughout West Virginia, Virginia and KY are being directly affected by the HUGE, big money coal mining industry.

Strangely enough, it's not really "mining" anymore. They are basically just blowing up the mountains, rather than actually digging a hole in the side and "mining" like the past. I realize that this is less dangerous, although not to the people living there, but it is so damaging to residents and the environment.

It takes a lot less time and requires a lot less man power to blow up a mountain, rather than dig one out. (Even though they promise communities that moutaintop removal will provide jobs.)Someone is making "bank" with this operation...

**If you are interested in learning more of the basics to Mountaintop Removal I have a few links:

My story featured in the ET:

http://media.www.easttennessean.com/media/storage/paper203/news/2008/01/31/News/Road-Show.Brings.Strip.Mining.To.Etsu.Students-3181321.shtml

Info on Mountaintop Removal, and up-to-date news on legislation:

http://www.ilovemountains.org/

*What is particularly interesting about the Ilovemountains site is the interactive map tool. You can put in your zip code and it automatically tells the plant that supplies your power and what mines they purchase coal from.

In this area, our power is supplied by the John Sevier Plant in Hawkins County. The site gave me a map of the various mines that supply the plant. One particular plant in Rawl, West Virginia supplies a large amount of coal to this area. The site features a story about a family who is facing major health problems because of the sludge area behind their home. These sludge areas are the chemicals "left over" after the coal is gathered. Basically they put it back in the mountain that they just blew up and hope that it doesn't leak into the drinking water, which is exactly what it does. If you follow the link to Rawl, VA (which I will provide) there is a live map that shows the big bowl of black crap, with beautiful green mountains all around it. How could we ever permit such a thing to happen!?

Here's the link:http://www.ilovemountains.org/communities/c324?feature_id=11#

When I see this picture the environmentalist/hippie comes out in me and makes me really want to do something about it. I will admit that I am not as informed about the subject as I could be,but it is entirely unfair and we need to get our lawmakers to do something about it. I know that I am guilty of using electricity too, but we can't let those with deep pockets take away our mountains!

Please read and tell others about this horrible means of gathering our natural resources. As I do more research there will be more moutaintop removal info to come.

Pregnancy Pact?

I was surprised to hear of the alleged (isn't that word sooo over-used?) "Pregnancy Pact" between a large group of high school girls in Mass. I believe I heard that 17 students, ages 16 and UNDER had made a pact to become pregnant ASAP. I even heard that one of the girls was impregnated by a homeless man. (I'm not knocking the homeless. I know some homeless people, who are very kind.)

Do you think this is true? Or an excuse for the increased pregnancy rate @ the high school?

My Opinion: These girls apparently had too much time on their hands to read WAY too many "Ok" magazines filled with "Belly-bumped" celebrities. Someone responsible needs to get them in a sport, a club, or a job. Oh, wait it's too late to do that. They've got baby clothes to buy.

The "secret lives" us teenagers live, (I know, I've lived it and still do to a certain extent) makes things so much more complicated. We get to the stage where we think our parents are absolutely stupid and we decide to lie or not tell them what is going on in our lives. In turn, we end up doing something stupid. This "pregnancy pact" is a prime example.


What do you think about this?

A powerful 5-letter word

TRUST - Yeah that's it. A word many of us have nightmares about, while others disregard the meaning all together. Is the true definition of this word weakening? It seems to be. Government scandals are common and numerous, which is so ironic because isn't the government supposed to have a reputation of dependability and honesty?

If the Eliot Spitzer case wasn't enough to prove my point, In today's NY Times, there is a story that features the numerous corruption charges brought against border patrol workers. Many are taking bribes from Mexican immigrants to let them through the border, or allow them to smuggle guns and drugs.

Here are a few examples of those who have been charged (from NY Times):

In one of the new corruption cases this month, at a border crossing east of San Diego, a customs officer allowed numerous cars with dozens of illegal immigrants and hundreds of pounds of drugs to pass through his inspection lane, investigators said.
The officer, Luis Alarid, 31, had worked at the crossing less than a year, and the loads included a vehicle driven by Mr. Alarid’s uncle, the authorities said. Mr. Alarid has pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to smuggle. Investigators found about $175,000 in cash in his house, according to court records.

The smugglers use any ruse available to lure border workers but seem to favor deploying attractive women as bait. They flirt and charm and beg the officers, often middle-aged men, to “just this once” let an unauthorized relative or friend through. And then another and another.
Prosecutors believe this is how smugglers ensnared Mr. Gilliland, who eventually pleaded guilty to taking $70,000 to $120,000 in exchange for letting hundreds of illegal immigrants pass through his lane. He was sentenced last year to five years in federal prison. Two women he had befriended also pleaded guilty.
The case against Mr. Gilliland, 46, stands out for the number of immigrants he helped and the shock of a respected veteran gone bad.

The Villarreals would meet illegal immigrants near the border. The doors of their government-issue truck would swing open and Mexicans and Brazilians would climb in. Off they drove, Border Patrol agents at the wheel, but not to a station or jail, investigators said.
Instead, they said, the migrants were taken to a drop house in San Diego and later transported by others in the smuggling ring to cities and towns far from the border.

Juan Luis Sanchez, 31, a Border Patrol agent, pleaded guilty May 20 to drug, bribery and fraud charges. He admitted transporting at least 3,000 pounds of marijuana in his Border Patrol truck from summer 2002 to January 2004 in exchange for $45,000 in bribes.

-Did you notice that almost all of the names of those charged were of Mexican/Spanish decent? Therefore, I ask this question:
Do you think people of Mexican/Spanish decent should be allowed to become border patrol officers? Are they trustworthy? Or are they easily swayed?

Also, if this spurs your curiosity, then I recommend watching the Frontline Documentary tonight on PBS @ 9 PM. It will look at the corruption within border patrolling.

Strange Occurrences

No this picture isn't from the U.S. It's in Naples, Italy, where apparently sanitation is a problematic issue right now. There are an estimated 1,400 tons of trash just lying on the streets. To make matters worse, the temperature is rising causing a "stinky" situation.

Residents are beginning to burn the trash in an effort to stop the smell.

Why is there no trash pickup? Well the article, featured in today's New York Times, seemed unclear, but blamed Italy's "paralyzed political class, "European regulations" and "Italy's high public debt." Then the writer goes on the talk about a proposed bailout of the Italy ran airline "Alitalia," not really sure what that has to do with trash in the streets.

There should have been a little more investigation on the issue, but this picture definitely speaks louder than words. The story also stated that landfills in Naples are full and that the government is searching for somewhere to keep the waste.

Hmm, do you think it's time to start recycling?

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Politics:I was watching the CBS Early show yesterday. They were gearing up for the primaries and were interviewing people in both Indiana and North Carolina. One woman was asked who she was going to vote for and her answer was Hillary Clinton. The reason:

"No one knows how to stretch a dollar like a woman, and we need to stretch every dollar right now."

That is absolutely clever! Isn't it true? While many of you may disagree, think about your mom. (Mother's Day is Sunday you know.) How much did she go without so that you could have? It is instinct for a woman to save and sacrifice. Which is exactly what we need right now.

I really hate taking sides because as I writer, I want to be as objective as possible. But I'm really upset now that Hillary is probably going to have to dropout. I admire her sticking to it and if she wants to keep at I wish her the best, but I don't think Dems. are going to allow it.

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Isn't it all just so strange?

I think so...

Give me a break! He's not a bay-bay!

While reading up on the recent Austrian-incest-prisoner info I came upon this really STRANGE article on CNN's Website:

By Sarah Jio
(LifeWire) -- Kristen Rounds, 26, admits that she's a little gaga over her man. "I'm like his mommy," the Monterey Park, California, resident says with a laugh about her fiancé, a first-year medical student.
Case in point: She picks out his clothes before they go out, styles his hair, makes his lunches (complete with "I love you" notes inside) and takes it upon herself to apply the toothpaste before handing him his toothbrush each night.
And then there's bathing. "When he's in the shower, he calls me in to wash his back," says Rounds, a publicist.
Over-the-top behavior? Rounds says no way. "He loves to be taken care of."
It's a scenario familiar to many relationship experts, who say that first comes love, then comes marriage, and then comes the husband in the baby carriage.
Nurturing gene on overdrive
Women find themselves mothering their husbands because of societal pressures to be the ultimate woman, says Pepper Schwartz, a sociology professor at the University of Washington in Seattle.
"We've been taught that the way to show love is to do for others," she says. And, according to Schwartz, some women believe that the more they nurture, the better a woman they are.
"I was at a dinner party once," she says, "and I watched a woman lean over and start cutting up her husband's meat."
A bad idea? "It can work for some people," says Les Parrott, a clinical psychologist, an author on marriage and relationship topics, and a professor at Seattle Pacific University. He describes one couple he knows: "She packs his suitcase for him and takes care of him like a little kid. But it works for them."


This is so funny, yet sad too! What else are we going to do to make society even lazier than it already is? I may be weird, but I see marriage as a partnership, not a servant-ship. The whole idea of treating a husband like a child is only destined for damage.

Why do women feel like that they have to "baby" their husbands? Personally I don't think it is due to oxytocin, which the article later describes as the hormone that makes a women feel tender and loving towards her children and that may be the reason why women treat their spouses this way. Whatever! I think women deserve more credit--We are more than "emotional, hormonal child-bearers." I certainly won't feel pressured to baby any man ir order to keep him around.

Bottom line: There is a difference between "help" and "babying." Like I said earlier, marriage is teamwork. Saying "I do" means that both husband and wife are devoted to helping each other out for the rest of their lives, not cutting their food or putting the toothpaste on their toothbrush every night. Marriage is give and take, both parties should take care of each other. What's with this one-sidedness anyway? This is 2008, not 1808.

What do you think? Let me know.

"Here's to a positive 2008"

As one door closes and another opens tonight @ 12, I think today is a good time to reflect about accomplishments/what life changing events have occurred in my life during the course of 2007. Overall, I feel like I've grown up a lot and begun to understand a little more about who I am. This year I haven't been afraid to do things that I've never done before and I'm really proud of myself for that.

My first list is dedicated to the positive experiences of 2007.



2007: A year of firsts

• David. The first guy I have fallen for both emotionally and physically. My first true love. My first long-term and slightly long distance relationship. (l yr!!) And the first guy that I have learned to accept and even love his flaws.
• Prom Fashion Show. I planned it and put up with a lot of annoyance and stress just so my classmates would have something to remember their senior year.
• Flight Yearbook. The months of hard work, deadlines, and late nights came to an end and I still continue to be really proud of the final product and my performance as an Editor.
• Prom. Not a first, the fourth actually, but It was definitely the most fun!
• Graduation. What an emotional/great day. I was able to give the welcome speech to my graduating class and I felt as though my family was very proud of my accomplishments. I worked SO hard in high school and it has payed off in countless ways.
• Intern. During the summer I worked at the Rogersville Review and I really liked it. I got to learn a lot about how a newspaper is ran as a business and how hard it is to work under constant pressure of deadlines. I got to interview a politician, record a radio commercial, interview random people at the 4th of July Celebration, and typeset a book. Plus I met and worked with some really cool people.
• Church. Started going back, well not to mine, but David's. Yeah it's Baptist. It's been hard getting used to it, since I'm used to the calmer Methodist way. I have likes and dislikes about both, but I can't let that get in the way of the true reason for going. It's no doubt that God has seen me through some tough situations this year and I'm grateful for that.
• Moving. Probably the hardest thing I've went through this year and it's not over. I still feel really torn between being on my own and being back home where the people I love are. Part of me likes to think that I would have been better off staying home, but I know that I would have hated driving to JC and I would have regretted not being brave enough to do something different. I have met some really great people and I like being in a slightly large city. Plus, it has been my goal and reason for all my hard work in high school, so I'm very happy with my decision.
• College. Wow. It's an adjustment that's still in progress. I now realize why so many people don't make it past freshman year. High school prepares very little for the "sink or swim" college world. I mean I'm just not used to the concept of being able to choose if I want to attend class or not and the fact that I can just get up and leave if I want to. Plus, Everyone knew me in high school and in college I'm just like everybody else...it's hard to get used to the "little fish in the big pond" concept.
• F-R-I-E-N-D-S. Bummer. The show is already off-air, but I just discovered it and I LOVE it. I think I'm gonna start getting the seasons on DVD.
• Puffin-corn. Mmmm. It's the best snack ever! A mix between a Cheeto and popcorn...I'm hooked!

So there are the highlights. Now presenting the goals of 2008. (Notice I didn't say "resolutions." We all know that word is just jinxed!)

2008: What's next

• Strengthen Mine and David's relationship even more.
• Keep kicking butt in college.
• Find another internship or somewhere beneficial to work during the summer.
• Make some new friends and still keep the old ones.
• Get a "new-to-me" car.
• Start playing guitar again.
• Go to the beach!!
• Become closer to my family.
• No "freshman 15!!"

Well...that's not a lot. I think I can handle it...

I hope that somehow this blabbering has inspired you to do a little assessment of the past, as well as a chance to look forward to the wonderful experiences that are ahead. Don't spend time dwelling on screw-ups. We all have them and as much as I would LOVE to hit myself in the face for some of the stupid decisions I have made there is no use punishing myself. I can be forgiven (starting with myself) and there are things to look forward to. I really can't stand people who find something wrong with everything, so do you and me both and favor and keep your head up!

Peace, Love, and thanks for reading,

a.marsh

**quote of the day: "Live and Learn."

Textbooks..AHH!

So I decided to look up my textbooks for next semester..whoa! At least I'm gonna order them off Amazon and my roommate and I are sharing two. Why do textbooks cost so much? Is it because there are so many people that collaborate on them? Or is it "big business" as it's best. Last semester I paid about $300 bucks for my books and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will do better and not spend more than $180. The only reason I am getting by this good is because my bff is giving me one book and the halvesies with the roomie is great!

Also, isn't it ridiculous that they charge FEES! Tuition is reasonable...I guess, at $2,443 per semester. I have decided to try out an online course and they are stamping a $48 fee to my tuition for it. I mean, I won't even be taking up space on campus! The professor doesn't even have to show up anywhere! What is up with that?

Today's list features the crappy part about college:

• TUITION. I don't know about you, but I am still used to the free public school system I was in for 13 yrs... and all of the sudden its thousands of dollars just to go to school! Crazy!
• LIVING EXPENSES. I found a pretty good deal, my own b-room, furnished, walking distance to campus. Still yet there's rent, water, electricity, and food to be bought every month!
• BOOKS. Again, I am used to public schools. I never had to pay for a book! Now I'm shelling out $60 for ONE!
• THAT OTHER STUFF. Yeah. Gas, car insurance, car payments, cell phone bills, don't go away just because your going to college.

Before you are totally bummed out by my negativeness, the GOOD most definitely outweighs the BAD in this particular situation. The freedom and what is learned at college is well worth all the freakin' money that's paid for it. And besides: "You can't take it with you when you go." and "It's an investment to your future." I hope that is true because I'm gonna have to make a lot of money to make up for what I will spend the next three years!

Peace, Love, and thanks for reading,

a.marsh

**Quote of the day: "When autumn comes and it doesn't ask. It just walks in where it left you last. You never know when it starts, until there's fog around the glass inside your summer heart." -John Mayer.

What do you do with a list and a love of journalism?

Today I am bothered by the thought of what exactly I was put on this Earth to do. Being a college student, I find myself full of random things that I THINK I could do. After all, I am pretty sure that I want to go into journalism, but man does that word have such a bad definition that comes with it. I'm sure that most people think "uh, in-your-face reporting, crime scenes, digging up the dirt, celebrity gossip..who on earth would want to do that?" Well most of it doesn't describe me at all, but "digging up the dirt," now we are on to something. Part of me would really like to do documentary type things, and another part of me would love to go into the magazine business, another idea is online news, but I'm just not sure what is going to be a stable position in the near future. Maybe by starting this blog I will begin to realize what exactly I would be happy doing for the part/the rest of my life.

List of what I want in a career/job: (I make lists for EVERYTHING I do.)
1. Interview/Interact with people. The more I learn from others, the happier I am.
2. A role-model. I want to be respected and strong. There are not a lot of women for girls to look up to these days.
3. Unpredictability. No cubicle, boring, same-o everyday stuff. I like to be in the know.
4. Variety please. Politics and news are cool, I just don't want to be old/depressed before my time.
5. Organization. Even though I do want things to be "spur of the moment" I still need to be efficient. No half ass/incomplete jobs will have this girl's name on it.
6. Design. Even though I'm not a "photo-shop queen," I do enjoy the creation of layouts. I was editor of my high school yearbook..does that tell you anything?
7. Creativity. I don't want to work somewhere that I feel I have to bite my tongue in order to keep my job, I should get to write/express anything that I feel would have a positive influence on others.
8. Optimism. I am an upbeat person and lazy, negative, pessimistic people really bring me down, so I need a good working environment.
9. Do it different. I really don't aspire to live my life working under someone else's dream. That's a good start, but eventually I want to do things as I vision them. I want to "make my own path."
10. Not all about me. Journalism is known as a competitive and cut throat type of career, but I simply do not want to live my life selfishly. It's not all about me, me, me. All though I know success comes with sacrifice, I DO NOT want to be the old lady alone with a bunch of cats.

The list is done..Now what?

Peace, Love, and thanks for reading,

A.R.Marsh


**Quote of the day: "You're the cheese to my macaroni."