Language

It is so interesting to think how language has changed over the past four years. As a freshman, I didn't use half the terms I use now. For instance, take the term "legit". People now use it as a filler word because they think it's cool but really it is WAY over used. It actually means Conforming to the rules. So it barely makes sense when anyone says it. For example, we say that an event that happened was "legit" to say that it really happened. Like " I legit just fell down the stairs". We also use the term to describe if something is cool like "this house is so legit" (it basically means the house is really cool). A new term that also came about is from Jersey Shore (or as I like to call it "Jersey Whore") is entitled "fist pumping". While this is a gesture that mostly celebrities do, Jersey Shore brought it not only around America, but also into everyday lingo. People use it all the time. There were songs made about fist pumping, people even made fist pumping cereal for the marketing class at SHS! Language has changed so much just this year, it will be awesome to see how it changes in the next year or two.

~ Jessie

This is SO Stereotypical

Freaks and Geeks is probably one of the best shows on the planet because as outrageous as it seems it accurately depicts high school. There are many social groups including, the jocks, the geeks, the outcasts, the druggies, etc. But watching this show made me realize something about myself: I'm not defined by one certain social group. Rather, I like to go from group to group. And then I wondered- is my lack of identifying with a certain social group proof that I am going through a severe identity crisis? For a while, I panicked. I mean, what else was I supposed to do? My identity was already lost, so I thought.

It turns out that it is because I go from group to group that I don't have an identity crisis. Yet I am so comfortable with who I am that people from a vast majority of social groups feel comfortable around me. From these people I learned that while they may be part of one certain social group, they aren't defined by it by any means. Rather these students prove to me every day that there is more to them that meets the eye.

Groups don't define you- you define yourself. As Eleanor Roosvelt said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent", don't let anyone make you feel that you are a geek or a nerd and that you aren't good enough. You are. There is no such thing as a geek, it's just a term people made up to feel more powerful.

Enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Jessie

Being an Outlier

According to Malcom Gladwell in the Outliers, the town Rosetta was so healthy because of the interactions each person had with others. It never really occurred to me how important social interaction could be pertaining to physical health. I mean, I usually say hi to people in the hallways and all but I never understood how just that little gesture could completely alter a person's mindset and thus their health. Why is it this way? From an evolutionary psychologists standpoint, humans found that being in groups was more beneficial in getting food, hunting, gathering, REPRODUCING, you name it. There was an evolutionary quality to being well liked, clearly. That is precisely how our species got this massive. Also, notice the fact that a marker of depression is when someone is lonely. People are happiest when they can interact with one-another in a comfortable environment. The reason the people of Rosetta are so healthy is that they have each other. Socially, three generations live under one roof. They all go to work together. They live in their own little social "bubble" in the mountains where life goes on in a slow pace. They thrive on company- after all, they're Italian. The people of the town have figured out how to live a long, happy, life. In the US and around the world, they are an outlier. We all need to be like the people of Rosetta. Maybe then the most common cause of death would be nothing but old age.

It's a good fantasy, anyway.

Yours truly,

Jessie

Prelude to blog

Today I'm wearing gorgeous boots I bought at DSW. Sociological pressure. Normally I would think these boots were somewhat weird, black with ruffles on the side and go all the way up the leg. However I knew that these boots were the "in" trend, so I guess that's why I bought them.

This is not the "This I Believe Essay". I am just trying this thing out sitting in the link lab of my school. But for some reason this seems like a very therapeutic way for people to show there ideas. I guess blogs are just one of the most widespread sociological ideas that I actually enjoy.

Before I officially get started, It is important for you to know who I am, that way you may understand my sense of humor. Well, to begin I laugh like a loud horn. But I have learned to refrain from laughing this way and I now know to chuckle softly when laughing at a joke (although this is mostly used as a pity laugh from me, so if I don't laugh at you like a loud horn, your joke ISN'T funny). I am also a grammar freak. Placing periods, comma's, and apostrophes into sentences brings me a surprise enjoyment. But don't worry, it's not like I just sit at home and place comma's into sentences in my spare time. That's just weird (but if you do that I have nothing against you). I mostly just think about it when I'm bored, or if someone's talking to me I like to think how the sentence can change to be better. But please don't worry (I'm not a dork) and yes, I do have somewhat of a social life.

My favorite type of music is jazz. kinda weird, yes. But it's cool. It completely alters my mood. Like I could be extremely sad and then turn on jazz and I will become introverted in complete bliss. And I am a sugar fanatic. Give me a piece of candy and you are my hero. Lastly, my favorite flowers are white roses. They smell like an amazing piece of buttercream cake yet a bit more subtle and I love it. Get me white roses and you are my night in shining armor.

Ta-ta for now!

Yours truly,

Jessie