extreme

As I sit here watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, thoughts begin to race through my head. It's amazing the things they do on this tv show. They makeover not only a family's home but moreover their entire life. The only makeover houses for people who are in dire need of the makeover or those who have reached out far past the expectations of the community they reside in. This one particular episode is about a family that has adopted over ten children and is looking to adopt more. They have three of their own children also. Their house was built on contaminated soil and they had just found this out, it was soiled with lead which was very unhealthy to the family. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came in and brought a company to sanitize the soil to make it free of lead and they also made numerous room just catered to the things that the children liked. TV shows like this make me happy that I volunteer and help my community.

complaints

As you all know I work at a gym. Today I came in and saw that the girls from the earlier shift wrote about a couple complaints they had received from patrons of our gym. They were all similarly rediculous. I would just like to share them with you:

-We provide our customers with tootsie rolls at the front desk so that they can get their sugar levels up before and after working out. We received a complaint saying that a petition was going around the neighborhood to ban the tootsie rolls from our gym because the customers were throwing their garbage by nearby homes. Should I follow each member out and be like watch where you throw your garbage? No, that is absolutely rediculous.

-A second complaint was that we should show the ESPN station and not the food network because this is a gym. C'mon now we dont regulate our tv networks they are planet fitness stations. There is nothing we can do about this.

-The third complaint was that our butt booster machine should be arranged differently so people can not stare at your butt while working out, once again simply rediculous.

If people spent more time working out then complaining everything would be better

what to write..

As the semester comes to an end I find myself falling behind in my blog posts. It is not that I necessarily forget to do my blogs it's just that with blog writing I feel like I have writer's block and can not come up with anything to blog about. I go to work each day and see very interesting things but when I want to blog about them it's like my memory has been completely erased, as crazy as that honestly sounds. I see interesting movies on the weekends that I want to write about and its like the plot of the movie or interesting parts have left my mind. I do not know if it is something I am doing or an early a case of amnesia ( i sure hope its not ). Or I do some stupid things in life .. but when I want to come and write about it later when I go home I can not remember anything at all. If anyone knows why I am having this problem, please enlighten me?

what do you think?

They say college changes you in many ways but to what extent does it truly change a person? To me, I had thought that it doesn't really change a person, but boy was I wrong.

This past Friday I had attended a party at a NJ college campus, and I saw a side of my high school friends I never thought I would. My senior class was always so tight knit, untill now. Our first year of college is almost over, and change was extremely prevalent. I was going along having a good old time at this party till I noticed how much my friends had truly changed. They were entering a scene that I had never even thought about. My friends had entered a whirlwind of drugs and partying. Everyone loves partying, dont get me wrong. But drugs? I just don't understand. My cousin had died because of cocaine and I do not want my close friends to fall into that. I guess the only things I can do is be there for them and try to ween them out of their NEW bad habits. It just really scares me to even think about it, rather it ultimately disgusts me!

no more teachers, no more books..

"No more tests, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks"

I might have butchered, that well-known quote a little but you get the point, right? Well school is coming to an end, next week we are having our end of the year barbecue, and I could not be any more excited.

That means school is ending, no more papers. I can go back home to wonderful New Jersey. The smell of the turnpike is alluring me. I get to see my family every day, even though I am going to be working almost 60 hours a week, insane? yes. But honestly I may be really money hungry and it just has not become apparent to me yet.

I look forward to next semester though. I start my criminal justice classes for my minor. I look forward to the leaves changing, not so much the cool air though. I look forward to new professors and peers but still keeping close bonds with the ones that I have made already.

when it rains it pours..

Finally! .. it has stopped raining. Today is it about 8O degrees. Incredible. Now if only our atmosphere would allow for this weather to stay. Just by it being this beautiful out, it not only makes my skin feel healthy but actually puts a huge smile on my face. But how long is this beautiful sunshine going to stay for?

My answer: Probably not long at all. Go figure. It seems like every time that it gets even the least bit nice out, it completely rains on my parade. I want summer. I want the smell of sun tan lotion and constant trips to the jersey shore. I want cheese steaks from the infamous steaks unlimited at seaside,NJ. I want to feel the sand slip through my finger tips, and the instant cold of the ocean as a wave takes me under. I want to feel the fear that I have every time I enter the ocean and how I don't know if I will make it out.

If you could not tell by now, obviously summer would be my favorite season. I practically live at the Jersey shore, as typical as it may seem for a Jersey girl. If anything please stop at the Jersey shore this summer, get some cheese balls and cheese steaks at steaks unlimited, or even Midway. Play a few boardwalk games, and definitely catch some rays on the beach. Oh and don't forget a homemade lemonade! ;)

my new job

I recently started my new job. I work at a gym, and it immediately started to amuse me on my first day. I work at Planet Fitness, a major gym franchise, branching out throughout the United States. We are considered a "judgment free zone". This means we do not cater to body building or heavy weight lifting. When I first heard this I let out a little smirk, considering hey this is Staten Island. I would say ninety percent of the time when I am out on this island, all I see are guys that resemble "wannabe bodybuilders".

Also at Planet Fitness we implement a few rules and even a dress code, sometimes this seems a little extravagant but in all honesty it is quite necessary. We implement the no "lunk" rule. Basically do not be a big meat head and grunt with each rep you do. Also do not drop the weights, or the dreaded "lunk" alarm will ring throughout the gym, then be ready to say bye bye to your gym day. Our dress code consists of no jeans which is understandable, no boots/sandals, once again understandable. But then there is no durags/bandannas/skull caps. This is because it might be "gang related". But what really got me was one instance.

A man walked in with a bandanna over his head, and one of my co-workers politely told him that he could not wear it and he responded with saying "But, I just got out of chemotherapy". But my co-worker insisted he take it off, because if we let him keep it on, everyone would want to. These instances I think are ridiculous, but who am I? Just an employee at a franchise gym.

a little late, i know.

I know this is a little late but I so had to post something on the topic of Valentine's Day. I do not know how we can even call it a holiday, honestly it is this made up day that Hallmark & American Greetings makes millions off. It's a day when singles are aware of their singleness, and those who have a significant other go absolutely INSANE trying to find that perfect Valentine's Day gift.

I myself had a significant other on this dreadful holiday and i told him way before how I hate this made up holiday & how I do not even bother celebrating it. If you honestly love someone, what difference does it make saying you love them on February the fourteenth versus saying it oh I don't know, on March the sixteenth. Nothing. If you love someone, you love them regardless what day of the year it is.

Though Valentine's Day is actually based upon the teachings of a real saint, I still do not think it gives it enough credibility to be on a calender and let alone be an actual holiday. Everyone has their own opinion on this subject, but I think my own opinion holds true for not just myself but many other people at that.

..rain rain, GO AWAY!

Can anyone explain why the weather has been so wacky lately?

No, no one can. But honestly tell the rain & snow to just go home. I want it to be spring or even summer for that matter already. It's rainy & snowy days that make me think that we will not be having a summer this year. And that my friends, would be dreadful.

Not only is it cold, but have you noticed what mood changes the weather causes in people. For instance when it rains all I want to do is cuddle up on my couch with my blanket and watch movies all day, resulting in me not getting any of my school work done. Can I use this as a reason for not having my math homework? NO.

Also when the weather is constantly changing, it causes more and more people to get sick. I know myself, I have not been able to shake my cold for the past three weeks, I just want this eighty year old man cough to rid me.

So if you see mother nature, please tell her to make up her mind already!

Staten Island vs. Jersey

Staten Island vs. Jersey, hmm what to say. We're close relatives, only a bridge ride away, whether it is the Goethals or Outerbridge, but that's all I can say collaborately about the both.

Let's start with Jersey, my hometown, birth of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, the love of the beach. Thinking about Jersey really pings my heart. I get very sentimental thinking about my hometown. I moved to Staten Island in August, and I try and go back to Jersey each chance I get. My boyfriend, my family, my first friends and my bed are all in Jersey. I live within the radius of seven malls, all holding stores that I adore. We have Hooters and Bloomingdales. Yes there is quite a stench on the turnpike but not that of the West Shore Expressway as you pass the garbage dump. We talk with somewhat of an accent but not that of the missing R in this place called Staten Island. Jersey is home to Giants stadium, and soon to be an indoor ski ramp. I can go on and on about the state I call home.

Staten Island on the other hand, does not have a Hooters nor a Bloomingdales. There is one mall, where it seems like EVERYONE hangs out, so parking is impossible. You see the same people everyday in the same places. They don't speak using R's and make fun of Jersey. I think the funniest thing I heard was "Jersey girls aren't trash, trash gets picked up" c'mon now, this phrase can hold true for any state. Staten Island is like forgotten with most things. And the traffic really sucks, it's like everyone decides to drive on victory at the same exact time.

I guess you can say I love Jersey but I don't necessarily hate Staten Island, I'll get used to it.

To join - or not to join?

"To be or not to be".. a famous quote that many know.

Welcome to St. John's Staten Island, a sort of sub division of St. John's Queens. Picture this: your done with classes and can't wait to eat some of that yummy cafeteria food, you grab your food and look around at where to sit, and your stumped. You then get your food to go and go sit in your car and eat. Why?

I'll tell you why. St. John's Staten Island is a school very based on it's greek life and involvement in Greek Life. You walk into the cafeteria and there are long tables set up with a frat at one, a sorority at another and so on and so forth. Being part of a sorority I kind of know first hand what it's like being in that cafeteria and not having a place to sit or someone to talk to. Joining a sorority definately was one of my best choices I made here.

As a greek, we are involved in so much more than "the party scene", my sorority for instance just raised and donated a large amount of money for my friend whose house just burnt down. It's not about the greek letters, or the frat boys, its about time, committment and love. The bond between me and my sisters is something that I really can't explain in words. They are my best friends, the ones I always turn to.

Also on your resume being Greek looks super good ;)

So, if I can leave you with any information, take a look at the greek organizations on this campus, and maybe think about joining one next semester or even just attending an information night.

college = change ?

Many say that once you enter college, change becomes almost an immediate part of your life. To me, it definately has been imbedded in my every day life. I would have to say the biggest change when going to college especially in a different state, is trying to still keep friendships strong at home. Many of my friends chose to go to community college rather then go away like I did. I joined a sorority, became active in community service and even got a boyfriend. To my friends, it was a constant struggle to maintain our strong bond, because for me to get home on the weekends started to become a hassle.

The constant push pull between budgeting my time between my friends, sorority, and boyfriend has been getting to me lately. My friends from home made me who I am in college. I definately think going away to college is different then attending community college. Part of me wishes my friends could experience what I am experiencing as I am sitting in class writing this. I definately reccommend at least going away to college for a semester, if it isn't for you, then you can always transfer back home. I am not telling you that you will lose all your friends at home, but it is going to be extremely difficult, your going to lose some friends, but you will gain SO many friends while at college. Learn to budget your time, but don't constantly go home because you won't get the full college experience.

I'll leave you with a quote that sums up everything: "It happens as you grow up; you find out who you are, and what you want, and then you find out that people you've known forever don't see things the way you do. And so you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on. "

Do you have a Facebook?

This is my first post, and I thought it'd be particularly relevant to talk about something everyone seems to know about. Lately, it has not been uncommon to hear someone ask "Do you have a Facebook", or another phrase such as "You better tag me in those pictures you took!". Facebook is the latest craze among high school, college students and workplaces alike. As quoted from the website itself, "Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you". At first in order to create a facebook you had to be a college student or an employee of a workplace.

Now Facebook has been opened up to people as young as high school freshman. Though there are many groups throughout Facebook that are against having high schoolers on the website. When you create a Facebook you are asked to join a network, usually pertaining to either your geographical location, college/high school you attend, or the name of your workplace. Unlike other websites such as MySpace, Facebook has a more mature look and feel, persay, to it. It's a website that to college students is a "get away". Facebook is a place where you can meet friends that you go to school with, hear about the latest parties, or simply drop someone a comment about what happened last night. It is a place where many students document their weekends through pictures.

It's a race to see who can get their photo album up and tag people in pictures first. It's a place where you can look back at comments and be like "Wow remember when that happened?" Even though Facebook isn't a hit among everyone, because some think that it is another site to meet that potential "Mr/Mrs. Right", and that it may be unsafe. But a user of Facebook can limit, what and who can see their information. Many college classes even require students to make a Facebook to keep in touch with classmates and professors. To me Facebook was a wonderful creation. With its many options and applications, one can never be bored.

So hey! Next time your out, don't forget to ask, "Do you have a Facebook?"