Boysssss & Basketball.

Okay people, so what the heck is this "march madness" basketball stuff EVERYONE is talking about? Let me tell you, I have no clue. At least I know that it deals with basketball right? I mean give me a break I learned a lot about football and actually have some what of an idea of what is happening when those guys are out on the field. So, I wanted to blog to everyone about my current situation.

Let me paint a picture for you. I am sitting on my couch with my television directly in front of me, of course with ESPN on. To my left, I have my LOVELY boyfriend, next to him, his roommate Tim and to my right, my boyfriend's brother Ryan. All THREE of them at this moment are creating some sort of basketball bracket and we are sitting in silence as they are concentrating so hard....awkward. (THEY ARE MAKING NOTES PEOPLE!!?!?!) They are planning on uploading a video of some sort of discussion about this bracket stuff. Whatever, I don't know what any of this means. I some what feel like a kid again and we are playing dress up, except with sports and not with pretty pretty princess jewelry. Boys, let me tell you, I don't get them. They say it is hard to understand a woman's mind, PSH...boys are JUST as confusing as we are. Anyways, time to watch a 30 for 30 movie now...on guess what the subject is.....BASKETBALL!!!!!! "The fab five" --- maybe it will be somewhat like Mean Girls....or maybe not..

Johnny Tsunami

So this morning/last night, Japan was hit with an 8.9 richter earthquake, which puts Japan  @ number 5 for the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. Then, shortly after Japan was followed by a tsunami. So far, as of this moment 40 people in Japan have been killed and there are at least 39 missing. However, this number is expected to go up, as a ship, carrying at least 100 people was supposedly swept up by the tsunami. Now, literally a few minutes ago the tsunami has hit Hawaii and is expected to hit parts of the west coast, including much of California in about a little over an hour.

Talk about waking up to some news this morning! It seems lately like there have been SO many natural disasters happening lately and it is kind of scary! Usually every morning I watch the Today show & definitely was surprised to see what they were covering today. God bless all those people and hope that the U.S. is able to evacuate everyone before the waves start to hit.

If you want to check out more info, Click HERE to go to CNN's cover on the story.

Week 10's insanity!

YOU HAVE ALMOST MADE IT!!  let me tell you folks, I am so excited that week ten is so close to coming to an end. Week of hell, even if your finals week is hell, is almost over too. I have experienced some comical things this week, as  my roommate drinks several 5 hour energy drinks per day not to mention the stress of credit card fraud and emergency vet visits. Despite all that, the only thing that kept me sane this week was probably my pup. I guess that it is a known fact that college students who own dogs are less stressed and just by petting your dog relieves a whole bunch of unneeded stress...just a random fact that I thought was cool. Ember, my pup a pretty cute beagle and is only at 2 years old. She's actually laying on my lap with a tennis ball as I type this. So on that note, I'm gonna go show her some much needed love.  Stay strong kids, this too shall pass!

Ember!!!!

How can this not make you happy??

Blog Prompt #4

Okay, seriously people, GIVE IT UP. The music industry has changed because of the internet drastically AND IT IS NOT GOING BACK whether you like it or not. iTunes alone has changed the face of the music industry. Needless to say, Koleman Strumpf's comments annoyed the heck out of me. I mean, the entire paper is constant negativity on these types of networks. I don't know about you but I love the fact that I can listen to any song that I could possible imagine with one click of a button, all while I'm laying in bed! Stop complaining.

Sure, negative things have occurred but so have some pretty awesome positive ones too. This thought might fall perfectly into Fredric Dannen's quote stating, "My epiphany, if you want to call it that, was simply this: consumers of recorded music will always embrace the format that provides the greatest convenience. " Damn straight consumers will always embrace the most convenient format for them. I mean, let's be honest here, American's are lazy and we do everything, literally everything, at a super sonic speed. Heaven forbid we are inconvenienced by having to go to the nearest Best Buy to pick up a C.D. that we would like to listen to when we can just sit on our butts and do it at any hour of the day. Convenience is EVERYTHING. I guess it's  not so much that this is what I agree with but this is what it is so I have to learn to like it because it is only going to become more technologically confusing, probably really soon knowing what Steve Jobs can do. 

A case of Senioritis.

I absolutely can not believe that it is already week 8. After this week we only have 2 more weeks and then finals week! I am somewhat hating my self a bit for procrastinating on some projects. NOW, thanks to myself, I am totally swamped with projects and homework galore for this week to get my feet back on the ground with the amount of work. Senioritis? Yep, that's right. Senioritis = my excuse. I mean, I am not a horrible student, I get good grades and usually have all of my work done way before it is due, but this year I seem to be taking things step by step, its working so far. I just can not believe how fast this term has gone by. It looks like now I need to crack down and hit the books, or the blog. Spring Break, here I come!

No Reservations...?

Deciding not to go out on a fancy dinner date on Valentine's Day and deciding that I would cook was a much better idea, not to mention relaxing! Cooking is one of my absolute favorite things to do. Even though I am still learning, I enjoy making a meal at least a couple of times a week. People seem to always have some sort of excuse to not cooking. My roommate explains to me that she may not know how to cook but she sure does know how to cook meals in the microwave! It usually is either not having enough time or saying that they just can't cook but it really is simple! (All you really have to do is follow the directions!) Yeah the clean up part is the worst but at least you know you ate a healthy, REAL meal and not just something you picked up in the fast food drive-thru. Not to mention, you can find really healthy yet tasty recipes for you to follow. Here are some of my favorite recipes:

Chicken Parmesan 

Ingredients

29 oz canned diced tomatoes, with Italian herbs (2 cans)   

1 tsp italian seasoning   

1/2 tsp dried basil   

1/2 tsp dried oregano   

1/2 tsp black pepper   

1 Tbsp sugar   

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar   

1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4-oz pieces   

1/2 cup(s) seasoned bread crumbs, Italian   

4 tsp olive oil, divided   

1 spray(s) cooking spray   

3/4 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella cheeses   

1/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese, fresh   

Instructions

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 35 minutes. Stir in sugar and vinegar; simmer 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1⁄2-inch thickness, using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Dredge chicken in breadcrumbs.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 chicken breast halves to pan; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and chicken breast halves.

Arrange chicken in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour tomato mixture evenly over chicken, and sprinkle with cheeses. Cover and bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half, 3⁄4 cup tomato mixture, and 1 ounce cheese mixture).

Waffle Iron Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

2 spray(s) cooking spray   

2/3 cup(s) light cream cheese, at room temperature   

1/3 cup(s) unpacked brown sugar   

1/3 cup(s) sugar   

  1 large egg(s)   

1 tsp vanilla extract   

1/2 cup(s) whole-grain wheat flour   

1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour, unbleached   

1/4 tsp table salt   

1/2 tsp baking soda   

2 Tbsp fat-free skim milk   

6 oz mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Heat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.

In a large bowl, whisk the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips.

Coat the grids of the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Use a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop to portion out a cookie onto each waffle square. Close the iron and cook until set and beginning to brown, 1-1/2 to 3 minutes, depending on the heat of your waffle iron. Use a thin metal spatula to transfer the cooked cookies to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining dough, coating the grids with spray as necessary.

America's #1 Dad!

America's #1 Dad! 

Yep. This is a drawing that a friend of mine did and placed it within a children's playground. My feelings on new media, such as television, internet, video games etc. are pretty strong. 

I believe that today parents have every right to be concerned with the new trend of having their child constantly being surrounded by some aspect of technology. Children are succumbed by new and "cool" technology and seem to always want to have the newest gadget on the market. I feel they are forgetting what it is like to even step outside.

For example, the little boy I nanny, on our very first day together, (he had just turned 6) he had spent 6 hours, (yes, really 6 hours) playing Pirates of the Caribbean play station game. Yet, when I asked him if he had ever gone mini golfing, fishing or to a water park, his answer was no to all of them. I couldn't BELIEVE that a 6 year old boy had never been mini golfing. So, from that day on, I now only allow a small time in the morning for video games/other technology and then for the rest of the day we go do various OUTSIDE activities. Together, he has now gone fishing, mini golfing and down a water slide.

This drawing portrays how many parents often just place their children in front of a T.V. or video game and then they don't have to worry about them. Essentially, technology is almost raising our children today! The fact that this drawing placed at an EMPTY playground also suggests that children again are more content sitting on the couch rather than going outside and being active. Technology is slowly becoming America's new parent, we just don't realize it yet...Scary?

SICK of the SNOW?

Living in Chicago has it's fair share of ups and downs. But, let me tell you, I'm not sure I ever want to see this much snow again! It has been almost a week since the famous, "Blizzard of 2011" and the streets, alley ways, parking lots etc. are STILL not clean. I understand that the city is working hard to get this all back to normal, but I am tired of getting my car stuck just attempting to get it into the garage on my alley way. I just miss the sun. Not to mention I just have a small old shovel; no big, easy snow plow to help out this situation. It is seriously dangerous to walk down the streets and sidewalks just to get to class. I have never wanted spring break to come so fast, just so I can have one week of getting out of Chicago and not see the snow! Will it ever melt?

I do have to say though that the snow days were pretty fun! And actually seeing all the aftermath of 20 some inches of snow. Chicago's world literally come to a stop. In our fast paced world today, this is a hard thought to wrap our heads around, as you can see from my impatience of getting back to speed. But, check out this video of Lake Shore Drive on Wednesday morning of the Blizzard on Lake Shore Drive!

Ya betta send roses to da house! ya hear meh! ROSES!

Good ole, Jersey Shore nights. How could I not want to sit here and blog about it? This week Ron and Sam fought per usual, Snooki fell asleep in the dog's bed and Paulie D was hilarious. Yes, I am totally and not even embarrassed to say that I am completely addicted to Jersey Shore. I have actually even made the famous "Ron Ron" drinks before. So many people are constantly talking about this show, including myself. But what REALLY makes this show so entertaining? Is it the grenade whistle or the really gelled hair? Either way, I can't seem to stop watching it. Guilty Pleasure? Not to mention all the media attention that J-Shore gets is insane! Well, see you later guidos and guidettes. Cabbbsss heaaaa!

Da Burrs.

So, I figured, how could I not talk about the Bears/Packers game on game Day? I have to say first off, that I am trying my absolute hardest to get all of my homework accomplished and more before the game so that I can focus on the game (go Bears!)

However, what I really wanted to discuss in this blog was not about who is going to win or what my predictions of what the final score is going to be, but the fact that for the past week, THIS IS ALL I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am learning more and more to like football, partially because I am learning to understand it but I am also excited for it to actually happen because I was honestly getting sick of hearing about it.

The Bears/Packers game has taken over so many aspects of media, it is somewhat insane. Not only am I hearing it being talked about on the news several times a day, but I am seeing it in newspapers, and especially all over Facebook with people's profile pictures of which team they are rooting for. This game is one of the most waited for games in Chicago history and I am excited but I all of the hype for the past week is starting to make me some what bitter toward all of it. I guess I am just trying to point out the fact that sometimes, a news or media overload can alter people's views on a particular story/happening. Sometimes, I get real sick of all of the media stuff.

Oh, here is a picture someone posted as their Facebook profile picture. I think it's pretty self explanatory and quite comical.

Hilary's presentation

Last Friday, January 14 I went to watch the first "audition" for the lack of the better term for the Communication Department. They are hiring a new professor for Public Relation questions. I actually really liked her presentation. Hilary, the new possible professor was extremely enthusiastic and entertaining. She was young and was really able to take her information and relate it back to the students with great examples such as Lindsay Lohan and Facebook. I actually thought her age was a positive for a Public Relations professor, which may sound superficial but is very true. I also really like the fact that she was able to weave into formal ways of communication and also informal. This helped to sow that she had the authority in the room but I felt as if she was very approachable. Being approachable to me is a huge topic because I have had many professors where I am intimidated to approach when I need a little more help with something. I really had nothing bad to say about her presentation while watching it and am hoping that she becomes a part of NCC's Communication Department soon.

Googleholic...

Hellooooo blogosphere. Someone saying that google being addictive really doesn't surprise me. I guess one could say that I am addicted to Facebook. I probably will be checking it as I sit here typing up this blog. In my opinion, Google is not exactly what I would call addictive, but I definitely think it becomes a safe haven or force of habit to automatically Google something you are unsure of. Google is a life-style and no matter where you are and you are looking for something you don't know, people will whip out their phones and just "Google it." I guess for me I can't see Google being THAT dangerous in the sense of what other addictions can do to a person. However, I can see how people would say that Google is too omnipresent because it is a  part of our American Culture. Ten years ago the term "Googling" would have never existed and I don't even get a red squiggly line saying that I miss spelled something when I type the word! Google offers easy access to our answers, almost like that Staples "easy button" commercial. To sum my ideas up, it is evident to all of us that America is very dependent on technology, Facebook and Google are our top visit websites. We are a fast paced country and Google offers us quick access to our answers, videos, pictures and so much more. I sometimes think that people are afraid of change, and America is changing rapidly in many different aspects, including technology like Google. So lets just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Blog Prompt #1 for Professor Macek's Class

I read the interview of Megan Reardon, who became famous from her crafts. She started blogging back in 2001 and created her own craft blog "Not Martha" off of Blogger as well.  She states that she is embarrassed to say that she used Blogger because she was lazy and it was simple. However, I think that this is the way to go and there is no need to be embarrassed!

Through her blog, she was able to publish some of her crafts into books as well as a small article in Bust magazine. She seems very nonchalant about this but I find it really intriguing to know that something as simple as Blogger can bring a person to bigger and better things. When I visited her blog, I was immediately drawn to her photos of the food that she was creating. I also love to cook and am constantly looking for new recipes to try.

I guess I am surprised by how easy it is to blog and how much of an influence it can truly have on a person's life. Even though the idea of losing certain mediums, such as books is an intimidating thought, the idea of new mediums such as blogs containing many new and exciting ideas is something I think we can all look forward to. I think it is often human nature to be skeptical of change but I am excited to be able to use the internet as a positive resource. I just hope I don't become as addicted to blogging as I am to Facebook.

Helloooooo Blog People.

Hi everyone. My name is Kelly. This is my first time writing a blog and I was told to write just a few random sentences, so I did. Sweet.