End of Semester

Very happy today is over, it is almost the end of the semester and I am very relieved about that. Next Friday will be a very happy day for me. This semester has been a very difficult one for me and I would be lying if I didn't say I will be happy when it's over. Next semester seems like it will be more manageable and I am more used to my full time work load. A five week vacation is definitely needed, but unfortunately the end of the semester means holiday time at work. Holidays have not been fun for me since I have started working retail. All it means is late hours, angry people and frustrated co-workers. This has been my experience at my previous job, but I am hoping Macys will be a little bit better. Once January hits I will be relieved and my vacation can really start.

Copse: A thicket of small trees.
Surreptitious: Marked by caution, quiet and secrecy.

Civil Liberties

Today I was watching a video post about Michelle Bachmann talking in a town hall meeting in Iowa. She was asked from a young student, a member of the GSA(Gay Straight Alliance), how she would protect members of the LGBT community. Bachmann's first response was that all American citizens have the same rights and it is the job of the government to protect these rights. The young student then asked, then why don't gay couples have a right to marry? Bachmann's response to that was Americans all have the same rights because they can choose to marry a person of the opposite sex. Obviously the student didn't buy this answer and neither do I. How can a someone say to a young person that everyone has the same rights and the government should protect those rights, but only if you are someone that they find acceptable. Those same rights do not apply to everyone and the student called her out on it. Bachmann had said that the government does not give extra rights based on an individual's sexual practices, and the student responded by saying that having heterosexual marriage, but not gay marriage is giving a privilege to the heterosexual couple. Last time I checked being heterosexual is a sexual practice just as much as being homosexual. Bachmann didn't have anything intelligent to say back, only that it's not the law and so they don't have those rights. It is disturbing to me the answers Bachmann gave, not only were they not logical, but this kind of social thinking is holding the nation back. Regardless what someone's personal or religious views are, everyone should be treated equally under the law. People deemed to be different from the acceptable social norm already have to deal with negativity in their personal lives, they do not also need the government telling them their rights are not as valuable as others. The video was also somewhat encouraging to see a young student courageous enough to stand up for what she believes in.

Genuflect: To bend the knee
Nebulous: Lack definition or definite content

Black Friday

I am very happy today is coming to an end. I had enjoyed a great thanksgiving dinner, but only to have to go to work that night at 11:30. Of course this year most retail stores decided to open at midnight, and Macys was no exception. I wasn't going to ruin my holiday by sleeping all day, so of course that meant that I didn't sleep at all last night. To top it off we had to do ten hour shifts, so I didn't even get home until around 10 in the morning. The store wasn't even very busy, so honestly it just seemed like a waste of time. At least none of the customers were rude, which I was pleasantly surprising. Now I need to get some much needed sleep!
Altruism: Unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
Dragoman: An interpreter or guide.

Graduate School

Today in 100W a professor came in to talk to use about their political science phd program. This couldn't have come at a better time because I am trying to decide what to do after I graduate. I might be graduating this spring, if I can manage the workload, which was sooner then I had expected to be done with my undergraduate studies. For so long I was so sure that I was going to go to law school, but now I am undecided. Law school is very expensive and since I am not sure exactly what I want to do with it, I am just not sure if that is the right thing for me right now. I am leaning more towards a masters program. One major issue with this is that there isn't any programs that I want to do that are local. I am thinking of getting a masters in dispute resolution. I feel that it is a broad enough subject that it will open many doors as far as jobs. There are some really good programs in Los Angeles that I am interested in, but I just don't think it is a reality for me to move there anytime soon. I have looked into doing the programs online, and some seem pretty good. I am just not sure if learning online is going to give me the education I want. Right now it just seems better to not graduate this Spring and wait until the Fall to give myself more time to decide what I want to do. Hopefully it will all come into place soon.

Apocrypha:Various religious writings of uncertain origin regarded by some as inspired, but rejected by most authorities.

Fortuitous: Happening by accident or chance.

The Real World

Today I was sitting at home, still feeling sick and decided to turn on the show The Real World. This is a show that I do not often admit to watching, but tonight the episode was actually very thought provoking. The show was centered on Pride week, which is a week when the LGBT community has an event to bring everyone together. This year there was the first time LGBT people in the military were able to walk openly in this event. In watching it and seeing the emotion coming from some of the cast members it really showed how historical and important this day was. It was crazy to think that just a year ago the people in that parade would have been discharged for admitting their sexuality. The repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell is such a landmark in American history because it shows the support for equal rights. Another thing happened in that episode in that two of the cast members were not supportive of pride weekend. They felt uncomfortable and didn't really want to participate. As the show progressed one of the male cast members met another man and they started dating. The two cast members who initially felt uncomfortable with the LGBT community, actually started to embrace their relationship. They soon saw past the idea that being gay is about the glitters and tutus in the parade and actually started to see that its about relationships and love. This made me hopeful because I often wonder how do we get past the hate. How can bridge the gaps to make people more accepting and this show had a lesson in that. By showing people that their stereotypes and judgments were wrong they were able to bridge those gaps. I wish it were always this easy, but it still gives me hope that we can one day live with less hate.

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• Discriminate: To see the special features of

• Crepehanger: A gloomy person

Political TV

The recent media attention on politics has been increasingly disturbing to me. Some of the things I see TV hosts say in regards to politics can be very frustrating and even scary at times. The scariest part is that people listen to these talking heads and believe them. There is no fact given anymore, just empty opinion being skewed. This goes for both sides of the political spectrum. This only brings more separation to America because instead of looking at a political debate in an intelligent way we are more concerned about who can create the most drama. This is evident in the recent Republican debates as our possible candidates focus more on taking personal stabs towards one another than looking at how to create positive changes in this country. Not to say this only happens with Republicans, but this has just been the most recent outburst. These type of personalities and America's need for drama is part of what is holding us back from progressing. There are many changes that need to be made and none of those changes can be made when we are bickering over if someone hired an undocumented worker or not. How about instead we come up with viable plans to reform our immigration laws and not argue over undocumented people as if they are not human. Maybe one day we can get over the childishness and move forward to create a better society.
Tawdry: Cheap, showy
Erudite: Deep extensive learning.

Very glad today is over! This semester has been an endless cycle of midterms and papers, and it's not going to end any time soon. At least for tonight I can take a small break from it all. Today in class something Professor Wood said resonated in me, the story about the congressman that didn't believe in government health benefits so he refused to take them. I liked this idea in that if a policy maker has a stance on something they too should practice what they preach. The hypocrisy of many policy makers is very discouraging because it just sounds like talking heads instead of action. Many of those preaching that we shouldn't be giving out so many government benefits end up being those that receive many of these benefits. I know someone who is employed in a union, but is admittedly opposed to unions. He doesn't believe that the amount of benefits they receive are necessary, and yet he takes all those benefits. I remember him saying that he doesn't agree with the benefits, but since they're there he will take them. This doesn't make much sense to me because if you don't believe in too much government spending, why then will you gladly be on the receiving end. Although I may not agree with many ideologies that are connected with the tea party, I do respect that this man isn't a hypocrite in his values.

Druthers: One's own way
Widdershins: Counterclockwise