hello december!

I'm so excited tomorrow is December! I am more than ready for it. December means I have finals, which means I will have a break, which means I can spend more time with AJ, which means I won't be so stressed even though I will be getting more into the wedding planning stuff. So I say hooray for December! AJ and I got our Christmas tree yesterday which is awesome. I just wish we weren't so broke so I could get a big, monsterous tree!!! But I still do love our happy little christmas tree and can't wait to get some lights and ornaments on it.

On Saturday we went to Apple Hill with my folks and Michael and Asheena and it was G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S up there!!! But it was crowded...very crowded! The trees were awesome but pretty expensive, so we just helped everyone else pick out trees. It was sooo windy and cold, but sunny!!!!

Well, not much time to blog tonight since I have to prepare 3 portfolios! Yikes! Here is a picture from Apple Hill. I love Aj! He is adorable!

Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving is over for me- or so it feels. My family's annual Thanksgiving Tahoe vacation has come and gone. It was so nice to get away for a few days and not have to worry about work or school or wedding stuff. Oh wait. I did do homework, and I did do wedding stuff. Well, 2 out of 3 is ok I guess. It was beautiful at the lake, and there was some a little bit of snow on the ground, but boy was it C.O.L.D! I took the Nikon up with me in hopes of getting the cliche lake shots and maybe do some other stuff so on Saturday I woke up at about 5:30 and drove down to the lake. It was sooo cold and I wasn't well prepared- flip flops.... anyways it was cold. I got my tripod and camera all set up and was waiting for the magic to unfold (which felt like a few hours but was really only about an hour and a half) and while getting some landscapes I met the cutest dog ever and his scruffy owner. The dog was actual a boxer puppy named Cornelius Clark :) So as they walked away I snapped this picture. Cornelius was having a grand time sliding around on the ice.

By the time I left the beach I couldn't feel any of my extremities, but I did however get my cliche shots. On Sunday I was down at the marina getting some shots of the boats and docks and what not when the camera broke. One minute it worked and the next it didn't- stupid kit lens! So that was the end of my photographs for Tahoe which was very disheartening. But we still had fun playing pool, board games, scarfing down food, and watching football. I LOVE our tradition!

Other than that there is not much news. AJ and I returned home to find our bathroom sopping wet. Apartently there was a plumbing issue before we moved in that they thought was fixed. Which we found out today was not fixed. As much as that sucks it felt so right to come home to our happy little apartment. Normally after our family vacations I go back to my house and Aj goes back to his- but this time WE went back to OUR home. I love living with Aj. And I love being engaged; it is so much fun!!! Here is an old picture of Aj I took awhile back- he was giving me 'pensive'.

The only sad thing about coming home this time was that we took Moose back to my parents. My poor girl was getting restless in our apartment and we didn't feel it would be right to keep her pent up when she was so used to having 5 acres to roam. So I miss her a lot- even when she would keep us up at night by pawing our faces or biting our feet. I thought of her today when I was going through some older pictures and found this one. She is a weird little cat!

And that's it for now. Not too much on the wedding front. Asheena picked out her dress and Katie is going tomorrow to pick out hers. I changed my colors for the last time and we even know what we want our cake to look like. Next step is finalizing the caterer and dj (not my area) and the photographer (my area) which should happen later this week. I'm so excited to have found someone so passionate about photography!!

Peace easy lemon squeezies!

Something Borrowed

I'm sitting in class, I-Pod on and everyone around me turned off. Open lab is the best part of my monday nights because it is my "alone time". I get to sit and edit pictures, play on photoshop, listen to music, and just be. However, right now I want to be home, crashed on the couch with AJ and Moose watching a movie. Living on our own has made the last two weeks very interesting. It's an intimate way of not having much privacy, but I love it! We are starting to finally get settled in and almost all our stuff is unpacked. We've put together our Ikea furniture and filled the pantry and even moved in the kitty-cat, and we all seem to be adjusting quite nicely. My favorite thing is making dinner or lunch for Aj and I and then he insists on doing the dishes... it is so sweet- and I wonder how long it will last :) . His mom bought us a g-r-e-a-t table and it's nice to have a place to sit and eat and talk. We do lots of talking now that we don't have TV or Internet. I thought this would be harder as I have my weekly line-up of shows: Amazing Race, Project Runway, The Office.... But when I go back to my parents house to do laundry I get time to catch up on those while my clothes are in the wash. I've been spending a lot of time in our tiny kitchen- yesterday I put up this little rail thing to hang stuff on, and I like to keep things tidy in there. Oh! And I'm growing basil! I was skeptical when I bought the little package from Ikea- it was a super dried-out, hockey puck of dirt and you just add water and sprinkle the little seeds on. It sprouted the next day and continues to grow like crazy. I can't wait to harvest my little crop of herbs!

Our complex is pretty nice for the area we are in and the price we are paying. There are so many trees that we feel like we are in Tahoe. The slightest breeze makes all the branches and leaves rustle and you can't hear any traffic or anything, it's really pretty cozy and hidden. However, we do have two new neighbors that just moved in and already we are a little annoyed. The guy upstairs, Bobby, seems pretty nice and when we met him he told us two of his friends were moving into apartments next to ours. This seemed ok since he was around our age and whatnot. Well, Sarah moved in just across from us and we know all her business already. She has a boyfriend of sorts who stays there a lot (not sure if he lives there) and they like to fight. A lot. Loudly. Come to think of it, I think everyone she associates with is loud- they had people over and we could hear them clear as day! She also has a yappy dog that I borderline feel sorry for when it's not barking. I keep an eye on the peephole for Sarah because i

t entertains me quite a bit.

Yesterday, I called the cops on another person in our complex- we

ll, rather her baby's daddy (I kid you not). Daddy and a woman he was with were stopping Mommy at the gate and they were shouting, really getting into. They were threatening eachother and the women were about to exchange fists a couple times- all in front of their kid, 7 year old boy. Poor kid. He was the only reason I ended up calling the Sheriff's Dept. Well, and the fact that a week ago someone was murdered at the complex right next to ours (two neighbors having a dispute). It put me on edge and I figured rather be safe then sorry. Dad's parting words were, "Shut the F*** up you F***ing Kyke." Talk about father of the year.

In other, more happy news, progress is being made on the wedding front. Dress- check! Venue- check! Colors- check! Photographer- almost check! I still have to get in touch with her to work out the details, but I'm thoroughly excited to be employing the services

of a fellow photography student. Sara G's ex-roommate, Gladys, has so much passion that I feel inspired in my own photography! I've read through her blog and fell in love with her spirit as well as her photography. I can't wait to get in front of her camera! I think we will mesh well because rumor has it that she changed her wedding date solely based on a certain photographer's availability! Now that's what I'm talking about; Us photographers are picky! So thats the next thing on my list along with getting the bridesmaids dresses confirmed- which should happen soon. My mom is on top of the catering situation- it was too stressful for me to handle so I handed her the reins. Aj is on top of cake design- his sole task! And supposedly it is coming along, but I'll believe it when I see it.

School is going decently; I wont be earning an A or a B in my nutrition class, but I'm not too torn up about that. My photo classes are going swimmingly, except that my beginning digital class is soooooo boring. I know there is always more to learn, but seriously.... Well, I won't get into it. But why a 5th year photo student has to take a beginning class after taking intermediate classes is beyond me. My color class is a-w-e-s-o-m-e! We are moving into more haptic-expression assignments and I'm thrilled! I hate technical assignments- I don't want restrictions!!!! Our latest assignment is to express how we perceive time by using photography- it can be manipulate or straight. :) :) :) I can't wait to shoot! It would be so nice to have my own camera..... sigh...

Ok, well I'm just about to sign the roll sheet so I can get out of here for the night. I'm glad I've used my time in such a productive manner! Oh, almost forgot to show this guy- I drive by him in Wilton all the time and finally stopped, braved the speeding cars, and snapped a picture. So random!

something old, something new

I'm so bad at updates and I don't even have a good excuse. Good things have happened and bad things have happened and more good things have happened and here I am. Eppie's went extremely well; I came in 21st in my division which I was just happy I finished. Rocky Votolato came and played the house show which was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! He is such a cool guy, very down to earth. It was so awesome to get to talk to someone I greatly admire and then to here him perform was beyond words. Even my parents loved it! And as amazing as it was, the house show is no longer the highlight of my year. A week ago tomorrow I will have been engaged for 1 week! (It already feels like a lot longer though.)

Already I am overwhelmed by all the tasks that I have to do and on a timeline no less. Pick a date, pick a place, create a guest list, select colors, find a dress, and bridesmaid dresses, choose bridesmaids, pick music, catering, photography, etc etc etc. The list goes on for every impossibly small detail. Who knew so much planning went into one single day.

But aside from all the stress of planning I'm still getting used to the idea of being engaged. My ring is so beautiful. It's simple but a little different- AJ knows my taste :)

I could tell the story of how it went down, but you really had to be there.... so instead I will move on to other news. School and work are dominating my life. This makes planning anything very difficult. Working at Panera is not where I envisioned myself but I am trying to make the best of it. I'm working my butt off and it's beginning to be recognized. Already I am making as much as the employees who have been there for 2 years and I will soon be moving onto the catering side of the cafe. This is supposed to come with a hefty pay raise, regular hours, and weekends off- but it might be a little while until that happens.

School is also going so-so. My classes are as follows: Monday 5-10PM Beginning Digital (which sucks because so far I know 98% of what we have been going over) Tuesday 5-10PM Digital Imaging (the course itself is pretty interesting but the guy I have to sit next to is really driving my crazy. Do I really need to see every picture he has taken and every manipulated version he has saved of it?) Wednesday 5-10PM Color Photography (by far my favorite- heavy emphasis on color theory but annoying guy is in this class too along with an old senile lady who asks endless questions), Nutrition and Management- online courses (sucks because they are so much work). This schedule mixed with my work schedule leaves me with minimal free time and since I like to fill that free time with ANTM, Project Runway, and the Office I have hardly anytime to plan a wedding. Ughhh, I might have to give up one of my shows...

Since I'm diving back into photography I suppose it wouldn't hurt to post some images.

Until next time.....

Prologue

I feel like my life has played out as if it were a book. Two chapters have been fully written sent to the editor but no revisions can be made. The next chapter is still unknown, but there is a lot of hope for what it could hold. I’ve been dreading this, but I knew it was coming and as things often do, it gets here before you know it.
Chapter One: High School and everything preceding it has all been wrapped up in one big ball of memory. Good times, bad times, sad times, and mostly awkward times. I think everyone’s high school years are roughly the same when it comes down to it. Remove the names and the people, places, and experiences are all the same at heart. We laugh and we cry and we think of things in exaggerations. If I don’t go to Senior Ball with this guy my life will be over! If he doesn’t ask me out I will die! I can’t believe my hair is so bad on picture day; I will never live this down! And what did any of it matter? No employer has ever asked me about how perfect my hair was on picture day, and my dates never asked who I went to Senior Ball with. The memories are fuzzy and distant for those who experienced them. For me, I wonder if they even happened or if I only imagined they did. Either way, it doesn’t really matter.
Chapter Two: This encompasses everything from graduation to last month. My first failed attempt at junior college, my first ‘real’ job at Panera, and my first heartbreak were all milestones that make this chapter so important. The first year of this era was similar to my Chapter One and serves as a transition period. I experienced my first love in a way- I had loved a person before but this was a different kind and it was the first person I believed loved me back… There was a month that closed out that year that was wrapped up in a best friend’s betrayal and losing other friends along the way- losing dead weight I suppose. It also was reminiscent of chapter one in that I thought I would never trust anyone again and that I would be sad and lonely for life. But life did go on and good things happened. The next three years were thus far the most interesting, exciting, and intoxicating I’ve had. And for that reason it’s hard to let this chapter end and move onto the next. That’s why I’m writing this now and not a month ago when the chapter actually ended…I’m hesitant to let it go.
I was cleaning up my room today and in an old cardboard box that has never been unpacked since I first left for Colorado and returned. In that box was an old paper bag filled with notes, papers, and memories I took with me on my last day as a temp., my last day before I left for Colorado. Those days came back in a flood of memories- getting in trouble for talking too much, writing each other cute little notes, shamelessly flirting with one of the photo guys, and promising to always keep in touch. Those days were amazing. I was reckless and young and doing exactly what a teenaged college dropout should be doing. But then an opportunity that I had passed on before came around again and I wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice, so I left. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make and it may seem simple on the surface, but it’s so hard for me to listen to my head and not my heart. But both pointed me eastward.
Then I returned and everything changed. It’s hard to move out and then move back in your old house again. It stops feeling like home in a way. Anyways, things kept moving forward and I found myself back at the sheriff’s dept and back in the company of a certain photo guy. And that’s when life really started moving in fast forward. Time stood still and went by so fast at the same time and the next thing I knew I had two weeks left at work. Mentally, that is when this chapter ends.
Chapter Three: The past month has been difficult emotionally. The job I had isn’t in itself what is so hard to let go of- it’s everything that being in that place has given me and I feel now, as if I never gave it its due. I feel as if I owe it something or should pay tribute somehow. That job gave me friends and made me realize which friends to grow on without. It gave me endless memories and the beginning of a life with someone. It’s hard to let that job go. It’s hard to let that chapter end. But now a new one really begins and the transition period is nearly over. I have a new job (which is my old job), and it will provide me with new things- like the money for rent for an apartment. It will give me something new to talk about, or write about, and it too will come with both new and familiar experiences.

I’m excited to see what else this chapter has in store for me. With Eppie’s tomorrow and Rocky Votolato around the corner it’s already beginning to look like the start of a very interesting era.

Woe is me

Reality is finally sinking in. In one week I will no longer be working for the sheriff's dept. It's bitter-sweet really; this job is my comfort zone and financial security (well it was asteayd paycheck). We were told a year ago that we might not have a job anymore and that has been the story since then, and yet every week that went by and we were still here that fact slipped further and further from our minds. And now it is hitting me like a brick wall. It is official. I can't take unemployment, nor do I particularly want to. And I have been job hunting for a little while now and find that every day it gets harder. Every time I open my email with no new messages and every call I don't receive makes me feel more and more defeated.

But I'm trying to stay optimistic, as hard as it is to do. Originally I wanted a new job so I could afford t move out. However, the more pressing issue is now just being able to pay my bills. I hope I find something soon.

hello?

is there anybody in there?
just nod if you can hear me.
is there anybody home?

And the secret ingredient is....

Giant Lobsters!

I'm a little sad. I thought a healthy dose of Iron Chef would shake me out of my lousy mood. However, this episode has me a little more depressed. The secret ingredient being giant lobsters in interesting, but I don't like that they are still alive when iron chef and challenger race up to fill their pans with the poor things. Then it shows the chefs shoving a knife into the shell and the giant lobsters snap their claws and flail their limbs trying to get away. Not that I haven't eaten my fair share of meat (but I've never had lobster), but the reason these guys are so "giant" is because they are 30 years old... I can't help but wonder how these lobsters are feeling. Are they scared because they don't know why their lives are ending in a pot? Do they wish they had told their family they loved them before they were plucked from the sea? Will their mate miss them? I would be horrified if I were one of these lobsters. hmm.

The past few days have been painfully long; my emotions have been a mixture of anger, frustration, and sadness. On Sunday my mom and I went to the river to take kayak the first half of the Eppie's route. We were with a group and were out on the water for about 3 hours and when we came back to the car we were met with an unexpected discovery. We didn't realize anything was wrong right away because we went straight for the trunk to grab towels and our purses. I looked for my purse and realized it wasn't there, my moms was gone too. It was starting to dawn on me when mom echoed my thoughts, "Katie, someone stole our purses." We then saw the tear in the side of the soft-top... my heart just sank. Both the glove box and center console had been busted open (even though my mom locked them before we left). They had tried to steal the car but apparently weren't well equipped. The ignition was somewhat messed up but we were able to get the key wiggled in and the car started. But they thoroughly went through the car and took our purses, cellphones, and loose cash that was in the car.

It was the weirdest feeling in the world to know that someone had not only gone through our things but stole personal items. I don't like knowing that someone out there is looking at my picture on my license or reading my texts, or looking through my family pictures. It's uneasy knowing that these criminals now know everything about us. They know where we live, they know our names, our faces. They have my mom's SSN and my birth certificate- enabling them to do endless harm and reek havoc in our lives and credit scores. They have the purse my mom bought for me in Colombia, and the camera I saved up to buy a couple years ago. They have pictures of my family and of me and AJ. They have my chapstick collection and my new cell phone. They have all our credit cards, debit cards, and ID cards. They have a check my parents wrote me, they have gift cards, and my moms pearl earrings. But worst of all, they stole our sense of security.

My original reaction was quiet shock which evolved into deep sadness. Now I'm angry and frustrated. Nothing taken was irreplaceable, and I'm grateful for that. Most of what we lost were material possessions. But we worked to have those things. We are the ones that put in hours to earn the money to buy these things. What did these thieves do to deserve or earn everything they took? Nothing. One of my original thoughts later on Sunday night was, "Do they feel bad they are hurting other people? Do they look at the pictures in my camera and realize they have stole something incredibly personal from someone?" But no, they don't think that. It's clear that they are only thinking about themselves and don't care about the people from whom they are stealing.

My anger reached a plateau when I realized that I now have to watch my back for a long time to come. I fear that somewhere they are using my ID or birth certificate to ruin my life. Although they have not used any of my cards, at least that I know of yet, that doesn't mean they won't try to obtain credit cards or loans in my name down the road. I have put a fraud alert out on my name so that they would have to jump through hoops if they did indeed try to get a line of credit, but seeing as they have my birth certificate I imagine it wouldn't be all that hard to do. I also have for the first time in my life (with the exception of when I was young and had a very active imagination and believed in monsters) that I have not felt safe in my own home. These creeps have our home address and what would stop them from trying to get into our house and steal other things. We have been locking the doors religiously the past few days and we have even been keeping the keys to the vehicles locked up in the house with us. That may sound weird, but before this we never had to worry about people stealing our things, locking our doors, or locking our cars. I feel uneasy when I go to bed and do a mental rundown of where the guns and ammo are. I never used to do that (again with the exception of werewolves and boogiemen).

And today was soooo frustrating. My mom and I had a marathon day of trying to get things back together. We went to the bank to get new cards and make sure accounts are protected (which I don't feel convinced mine is). Then we went to Target to get new wallets and purses, and then on to Verizon. Mom was due for a new phone and got her upgrade discount while I got a one year discount....which isn't much but it's better than nothing. Then we went to DMV....enough said there. Our day started at 9 and didn't end until 3. Of course as soon as we got home I left again to go to class and try to get some studying in. And THAT is a whole other story. So now I resign for the evening. I'm tired from all these emotions and I'm tired from stressing about my impossible summer classes. I'm not doing my homework that is due tonight and to be honest I don't give a crap. Right now I want to get some sleep so I can get through another day. I'm ready for the end of the week. I just want everything to go back to normal. I want to keep training for Eppie's - but I can't until I get a new inhaler...mine was in my purse. I want to pass my stupid classes- just got my books today, go figure. And I NEED to find a job. Yes, I have a long few weeks ahead. But if I can just get through the next few days I think I might be able to survive the summer.

I think this is the one thing that always makes me laugh...meep meep :)

the times they are a-changin'

I've been listening to Bob Dylan a lot as of late. Sadly, I just learned that All Along the Watchtower was not originally by Hendrix (oops). I'm kind of embarrassed to not know this before, but hey, I can't know everything about music and songs and what not. But it makes me want to expand my collection of Bob's songs to more than just the three that I magically have on my itunes. Anyways, the point is that some of these songs have got me thinking.

It seems like everything is changing right now and I think I'm going to welcome it. My job is up in the air, which doesn't really matter since I need a new one anyway and it just lights a little fire under my ass (which is what I need). I just really want to be able to move out this summer and even if it means working more hours for less money, I'll be willing to do it. Sometimes you just have to do what needs to be done and if that means taking a job that isn't quite what I had in mind- so be it. I'll be happy to have a job and hopefully I'll find a way to challenge myself in it.

I feel like for the past few years I've been holding back. With school and work and everything I just don't put in a lot of effort. It's not like I try to find ways to slack off or I consciously decide to goof around- I just have a serious lack of motivation and I don't know why. I don't know if I can say that it is the same reason I did so poorly in high school which was "I wasn't being challenged enough." But if that isn't it, I don't know what it is. I mean, I know what it's like to work hard and feel that satisfaction of a job well done, but maybe that's what I'm missing. I like to accomplish things but when it's not a challenge, what is the point? Winning doesn't feel as good if it's an easy victory. So maybe that's the answer. I know I can do well if I put in the effort but I need to make myself put that effort in. So the challenge doesn't lie in the task itself but in motivating myself to give something my all.

This all comes in at a good time since I am a multitasking girl these days. Things to accomplish include: (1) Find a job- preferably one with good pay and benefits, but beggars can't be choosers, (2) Pass my Spanish 402 class- an A would be nice, but this prof needs to seriously see a doctor about that stick stuck up her.... (3) Complete the Eppie's Great Race- this will be my biggest challenge since exercise is the main component here.

So there you have it. Change is happening and I'm so ready for it. I have a really good feeling about this summer. I think things are going to work out for the best and even though I might find myself with some new challenges, it could be exactly what I need right now. I'm so hopeful for my future and what's in store for me. I think as long as I keep my head up and pray, I'll be just fine.

These pictures don't have much to do with anything other than I was looking at photographers who are interesting and one of those is Jerry Uelsmann. All of his work is done in a darkroom- no computers or photoshop. Just him and as many as 11 enlargers. Crazy! Just felt like putting a couple pictures up.

Paz,
me

As the world turns!

I am a girl with a plan- believe it or not. Typically I have an exit plan for every commitment I make and I always keep one eye on the fire escape; I have a bag of excuses that I can use anytime I feel the need and I’m great at wiggling my way out of anything. I rarely make plans, especially anything more than a few days ahead. But this time I have actually made a plan of action for myself. Well…in a school related sense. This time next year I will have an AA degree and a certificate in photography. A semester after that I should have a certificate in weddings/portrait and studio photography- and maybe commercial photography. I originally planned on transferring (which still might happen post my AA) and the units required for transferring are almost the same as those needed for the AA; all I would need is one or two extra classes. And at the same time I did want to get a certificate which is very similar to the courses needed to have an AA in photography. So I figured I might as well secure some sort of academic accomplishment and if I want to keep going for a BA after that then I can. But at least I’ll have something if I decide not to. I’m excited about the next couple of semesters- I’m taking mostly photography classes since I’m pretty much done with my lower division general ed stuff. I’m even getting into digital! Hopefully this summer will bring a new job and money to buy a camera with. I suppose I could throw it on a credit card, but I’d rather not go down that road again…lesson learned. So, I’m saving up for a nice Nikon or maybe I’ll stick with Canon…not sure yet. But saving up is going to be hard since I’m looking to move out by the end of summer. Or should I say move in? Hmmm.
Life seems to be heading in a good direction. I’m really excited about what this next year will bring. I’m especially excited for this summer, I think some big changes are coming my way. I’m trying to find a different job- preferably one with full time, day hours and benefits. My classes are all night classes so I can hopefully snag a admin assistant job during the day. I’m working on revamping my resume and maybe I’ll get a few bites. Who knows. But I do finally feel like I’m in a good place. I don’t remember the last time I was this happy with my life (especially while being this broke!). Speaking of broke, my truck will be paid off in full in 9 months! Whoohoo!!! Ok, guess that’s it for now. Peace out blogosphere.
vv me and aj after we dyed easter eggs vv aren't we cute?!

I'm baaaaack!

Not that anyone really cares. This is more for my entertainment than anything else. I would seriously doubt anyone still checks this and if they do they might have less a life than myself. And while the fact that no one is likely to see this tempts me to discuss current work related topics...errr, yeah...I would rather like to keep my job, or at least until I find a better one.

Nothing too exciting has been happening- the last few months have sort of melted into one blob of homework, exams, and undue stress. Who would have thought that I would actually start caring about my grades? Weird. The first semester back I got C's across the board and didn't quite deserve them either. Last semester I had straights A's except for that damn C in history (not my strongest subject). And this semester it's looking to be mostly A's with a B or two...and I'm taking 20 units! Boo Ya! Not really though- I hasn't been as much work as it should have been. I'm pretty sure I'm getting a faux education. I mean for what it's worth- a job, future earning potential, bragging rights- I'm not getting properly educated. But I am howevere learning a lot and retaining most of it. My education I've decided is not to end in earning a degree. I want to be educated for the sake of being educated. If in the end I never end up graduating- so be it. In this economy, true education and determination beat out a degree that any old stoner could earn anyways. Why do I need a peice of paper that says I'm "educated" to get a job? All that really shows is a 4 year comitment to something and doesn't express true value.
Look at our education system these days- teachers are requiring next to nothing for a student to pass. And in their defense, if they did require actual work, and not just busy work but actual work that requires serious thought, then most of their students would fail. If most of their students fail the college sees it as a poor teacher not doing their job. My aunt tries to uphold standards but when your facing a majority of faculty, parents, and students against you than is it worth sacrificing a paying job over? The students in this scenario don't help much either but it's more due to the influence of society than anything. In Newsweek there was an article that ran and gave the figure (this is a guess because I don't recall clearly) but 2/3's of students think that they should get a B in class just for showing up. Really. Just for showing up; not doing any homework or taking exams, or putting thought into papers. Is getting a good grade one of our fundamental rights as students? No. When a C is average you shouldn't be getting an above average grade for filling a seat. If that were the case, than the chair in which you sit should have an A. But alas, it's not just the students fault. This generation- my generation- is being raised by the "never-let-anyone-fail-ever" society. This society has created "equal opportunities" for everyone in every scenario so that we are all equal, so that no one is above or below anyone else. What a bunch of bullshit. Some people are better than other people. If you have to make everyone equal than the group can only be as strong as it's weakest link. Our society is becoming a nation of low achievers. What happened to competition? Winning in losing is being taken away from kids now more than ever. Some sports are even go so far as to saying there was no winner in a game. What is that teaching the kid? That there is no point in working hard or giving it your all? Great lesson parents! When you take away the opportunity to fail, you set up a life of mediocracy, low standards, minimum effort, and inevitable failure. When you don't allow people to fail you make them weak, you take away the lessons that they would have learned from their mistakes. They no longer have to take responsibility or face consequences.

This is part of why I'm unhappy with the government bail outs. They are not allowing these businesses and banks and people fail. Yes, I know it would be very difficult if there was no bail out, but the consequences down the road are going to be catastrophic. All these people facing forclosures need to face them. They made the mistake of taking out loans that they didn't understand or they lived beyond their means. They need to face the consequences and accept responsibility so that they can take this experience, learn from it, and pass the lessons onto their kids. The businesses and banks too- they have to fail in order to rememdy the problem. We have already seen what happens when you bail people out! Look at the car companies that were given bail outs- did they take it seriously? No they fell into the same old habits and took a company vacation! What have they learned from being in a financial crisis? The government will give them a handout when they need it. They are not learning what they need to be, which is finding out why this happened in the first place and what changes need to be made in order for it to not happen again. By giving them a light slap on the wrist and 70 billion dollars we are only hurting ourselves and the economy will continue to spiral downwards. The same is true with education- which is what this was originally about- by giving students a pat on the back and saying "well, it was a good effort" your only misleading them and setting them up for future and certain fialure. You are not preparing them for life.