Is Your Name TOO Feminine?

Studies have shown that giving your daughter a very feminine name may have a significantly negative impact on her desire to study math or physics after the age of 16. I find this hard to believe, but according to The Observer, this is the case. My name, Jessica, was given a rating of 97 out of 100, with 100 being the most feminine name possible. I must say that I have never corresponded my name with my desire to learn math. However, after the age of 16, me desire to take math courses dwindled. I do find myself to be more interested in writing than math, so maybe the study is true.

Crack In A Can?

There is this new drink on the market called "Cocaine." It is an energy drink and they market the product as "liquid cocaine." I think that it is their choice, but it definitely is not sending a good message, and isn't the message of the product, or in other words, the positioning of the product what sells the item? I would be embarrassed to drink the beverage. People might think I am a crack head. I think it is good that they have decided to change their marketing techniques, and hopefully their name. Who knows, teenagers might buy into it, and start drinking it constantly, and it could lead into real cocaine use. That is something this company should be worried about and I am guessing it is something that they do not want hanging over their shoulders. To read more about this, check out article the I read.

Are we really that self-absorbed?

I read an article today about Generation Y and their obsession with themselves. I find it to be very interesting that they have done research on this topic. In this article, a girl was quoted saying, "I think it's because we all have our own cellphone and iPod with which we're doing our own thing in our own little world."

iPods and cell phones cause us to be self-absorbed? Really? DUH! I think that it is time that my generation starts looking at the real picture and starts recognizing the world around them. It is time we grow up and start learning how to act in society and how to treat people.

I am scared that Jean Twenge, a San Diego State associate professor and lead author of the report, will be right. We are going to turn out to be people who only care about ourselves, and what kind of a world will that be? A pretty awful one, in my opinion.

So my advice to others in my position (listen up Gen Y) is to just be aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to detail. Lets prove Jean Twenge wrong!

Will we blow up?

Last weekend a bomb scare struck my University. I guess someone had written on a bathroom wall that there would be a bomb detonated on Monday, the 7th. The message said that the Lillis Business Complex would be the target. The president of the complex, Dave Frohnmayer sent out an email to all students notifying them of this threat and he canceled classes in the complex for that day.
I was very appreciative of the email. Considering the current events that have happened on college campuses, I believe that nothing should be taken lightly. If it had not have been for his email I would have never known about the threat. The he sent a follow up email the next day to let students know that classes would resume and just to be aware that there was another bomb threat Monday evening, but he believed it was just a spoof.
I am not fearful to be on my campus. If a bomb did happen to go off, I believe that that is my destiny, and so be it. But, I find Mr. Frohnmayer to be a very respectful man for taking that bomb threat so seriously. It makes me feel good about being a part of the University of Oregon. Just a word on the stupidity of these people who are throwing out threats--DON'T DO IT! It is lame and just causes panic. It also pushes back class schedules so that those who actually care about going to class have to miss out and play catch up for the rest of the term.
I just wanted to stress the fact that keeping students updates via email is a great thing to do. It put a lot of us at ease and really made students feel that their safety is a great concern. Thanks Mr. Frohnmayer!

Cheating IPODS!

I read an article about schools banning Ipods because students were found downloading formulas and answers to their Ipods and using them during tests, in other words CHEATING! Not a good thing. This has been found to be happening mostly in high schools, but obviously it could be happening in college too.

I think that Ipods have totally changed the college campus. Walking down 13th Avenue of the University or Oregon, at least one in every five people are wearing earbuds. It is so annoying, especially when you are trying to pass them or even get a friend's attention and you CAN'T because all they hear is their Moby and underground techno bable. It is starting to get really strange that EVERYONE has an Ipod.

So back to cheating with Ipods. High school's should definatly be banning ALL technological devices during class time. It is so rude to be listening to your music during class. It is also rude to send text messages during class. Not only is it distracting to others but it is disrespectful to the teacher.

So, lets start to lead by example, my fellow classmates of the college level. Let's show the youth how it's done. Respect is the key to success.

I want updates!

I get so frustrated waiting for news. I always find myself doing this. I will watch an interesting news clip and then I will immediately get online to find out more information, however I usually only recover the same information. It really gets annoying. I want NEW news, not the same news. For example, this morning I was watching the news and found that in the early morning (12 a.m.), a beekeeper was hauling a load of bees from one location to the next, and on his way part of his load fell off his truck in the middle of the Glenn Jackson bridge, which connects Oregon and Washington. Now, this was some news! To see the video, check it out here. The boxes of bees that fell from the truck had caused cars that were following behind him (too closely, I imagine) to break and swerve around the debris, causing a one-car accident. That car was unable to safely avoid the boxes, and ended up flipping. Those in the car were injured and taken to the hospital. Now, I want to know what their condition is. But, for the love of God, I cannot find updates anywhere. I feel like if a story is newsworthy enough to BEE a story, then the pubic should have some sort of access to the update. It would just be nice if reporters could follow through on stories so that those stressing out about the situation can be at peace.