Hot vs Cold

Welcome to ONU where the winters are the worst and the weather changes by the hour. What I've learned is I will take it over the Texas heat any day. 

I've been in San Antonio, Tx for four days now for my sisters U.S. Air Force graduation and the heat is outrageous. Yes I know I'm closer to the equator, but being from Ohio, I didn't realize how hot it is. I'm complaining and I've been in shorts and a tank top nearly every day. The Newly graduated Airmen however have been in their AVU's (camouflage) and their dress blues. So do I really get to complain... The answer is still yes, because I'm from Ohio. 

Now I hate winter. I dread it every year; it's cold, it's wet, and it is down right gross. Comparing it to the Texas heat though, I'll take winter. At least when you're cold you can put more layers on. When you're hot, you can only take so much off. 

So my solution, congratulating our Airmen and counting down the days until I go back to Ohio. 

Creepin'

We are all guilty; that cute boy that sits two rows behind us in class, the same girl that rings us out at the store. We creep. Creeping is a concept that came about when people started secretly searching each other on Social media. 

Since we all creep on each other, how can we protect ourselves from potential predators? According to CNBC's reporter Kim Komando, there are five things you should absolutely NOT put on social media. To read the entire article you can go to:  http://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/04/five-details-you-shouldnt-give-facebook.html 

Miss Komando makes some vary valid points. She states that you can share your personal information, but don't share too much. In my opinion someone should find more information about you in the phone book then on your social media accounts. Now-a-days it's hard to distinguish what is too much. Too much is your entire life. Put enough out there so we can creep and know it's you but we don't need to know every little detail. 

Not so social

We call it social media, but are we actually being social? Spending the last four days down in San Antonio, Texas I've noticed more cell phone use (ie social media) than I have human interactions. As I was sitting with my family and our newly graduated Airman, she (our Airman) says "Wow guys, you are ridiculous." I looked down and thought yes we are. So I put my phone down for some human contact. 

These social media sites only make us social if we are communicating with someone. Posting a "status" doesn't accomplish this goal. Yes, sometimes people will comment on them, but do you accurately convey their emotions? Whether you do or you don't, talking to someone face to face is always better then telling a bunch of your "friends" the same generic message.  

Day 9 of Senior Year

On my ninth day of senior year I dropped 2 classes (after adding them late) then added  SMP  back. Knowing I was super behind, I met with the professor in the morning chatting about what I missed. When we finished the conversation I was still apart of the class. Ten minutes before SMP was supposed to start I talked to some of my friends about it and thought "I would much rather be in this other class." So I went to the prof. and said,  "I'm dropping SMP  because I heard it's hard." 

She responded with a smile on her face telling me that it's definitely not an "easy A," but I was vary brave for telling her face to face. 

I didn't see this act as brave. I saw it as common courtesy. However this lady and I had formed a relationship. One that deserved the respect of an actual conversation.  

Today a lot of our relationships happen via phone, web, etc. because it's easier. We as a society are so consumed with the technology in front of us that we forget the human emotions. Had I strictly e-mailed my professor, I would not have had the dilemma to drop it in the first place. Yes, I wanted the easier 'A' but I also wanted to continue the relationship we formed. In doing so and after finding out this other class was full, I went to my new found mentor and explained the situation. We shared a laugh and things were just as well.  

While I was leaving I thought to myself how mad this lady (who before today I didn't know) would have been if these interactions would have been through technology. I too would have been frustrated. The power of a friendly conversation can offer more than words. So next time you need to talk about a concern you have in a class, go to your professor. They will appreciate it more, and your grades will too.