A Student Citizen

To be or not to be, that is the question. To be a citizen-student, it means to be responsible, to be involved, and to have a unique opinion. A student is defined as “a person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a school or college”, while a citizen is classified as “a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection.” When put together, the two create something significant which resembles me. It is quite possible to be a student-citizen, for example by obeying laws and voting. A citizen owns his/her country loyalty and respect. A citizen may not prefer the country in which he or she resides, but dares not give away what makes him/her citizen- devotion.
As a student-citizen, I owe my country my voice in the form of, perhaps, a vote. I owe deference, as well. The connection between citizenship and education is that, for one to be a well-rounded citizen, one must have a good education. It is proven that those with higher education tend to vote at a higher rate that those without education. The reason why this is so is because for a vote, the citizen MUST know who he/she is voting for; much research and information must be gathered before an educated vote is made. Personally, I watch the news every morning with breakfast, and I have been interested lately in the presidential campaigns of Obama and McCain. Since it is my first year that I am able to vote, I feel that it is important to know much about both parties, so that when my vote is counted, my voice is loudly heard. Yes, I do believe that it is my civic duty to vote. If we all voted, the representation of what the entire country desires would be more clearly explained. In this case, the country would be better-off.
My peers may or may not take their civic duty seriously; it just depends on the person. Some are interested, like me, and care about their futures. Others spend more time focusing on the “here and now” rather than what is to come ahead, thus the political situation may not be quite of interest.
It should NOT be one’s “duty” to serve in the military if one does not wish to do so. Forcefulness never works with anything- if one is not motivated to do something, he/she will not do the act in its fullest potential. Also, if one is against war, such as I am, then that person should not be required to do so as means of his/her “civic duty.” The war in Iraq is just a waste of money, valuable lives, and many peoples’ nerves, producing no benefits.
The best way one can express his or her civic duty is by voting and making him/her self heard! Running individual campaigns to promote the candidate is another method of civic duty- involvement. Running a student-government at a school or college helps the younger generation realize the importance of the vote. http://media.www.arbiteronline.com/media/storage/paper890/news/2006/02/23/Opinion/Make-Your.Voice.Heard-2219897.shtml

Me, Myself, and I

Zdravo, Dobrodosli! That, in Bosnian, my native language, translates to "Hello, Welcome!" Yes, I was born in Bosnia and I have lived here in the United States for ten years. Who I am today is shaped by my own culture AND by the American culture. My interests vary, from subject to another, but I will share with you my top three interests. They are:
1. Pharmacy
2. Rowing
3. Healthy Cooking/ Nutrition

Pharmacy as a field is interesting because it involves the human body and the various profound effects drugs have on our bodies. Many categories of drugs exist; most can be placed into a couple of general categories. You have the antibiotics, the painkillers, the blood pressure medicines, the cholesterol medicines, the birth controls,and the tranquilizers. Of course this is not all that's out there. I have been working as a technician with CVS Pharmacy now for a year and the amount of drugs stocked still astonishes me! Work is fun- yes it is a lot of bull dealing with insurance companies and doctors and rude customers, but a nice, (usually) quiet environment that has great pay (as a pharmacist, of course) is what everyone wants for work. Here are a few humorous truths to pharmacy: http://persnicketyrph.blogspot.com/2008/09/pharmacy-secrets.html . I can't help but LOL at reading this because I have been trough it and I know exactly what Persnickety has in mind.

Rowing is my second interest. This is so because this year, I joined my college Crew team, without ever rowing before, and I learned the proper techniques to row a boat. Still, I wonder the effects of college rowing on the body, just how strenuous this exercise is, and how to maintain healthy tissues, bones, and muscles. I want to know the top college rowing teams, as well, and a bit more about them. I discovered an interesting story about a woman, Roz Savage, the first woman ever to row from California to Hawaii: http://sailboats.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/first-woman-to-row-alone-from-california-to-hawaii-roz-savage/.

Healthy cooking and nutrition is also one of my many interests. It is important to keep a balanced meal each and every time you eat. Don't just grab a Monster and a pack of Pop-Tarts and head out in a rush. Instead, keep your fridge stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and yogurts, foods that will help you look better and certaintly feel better. Light calories should be consumed, and to keep the metablism going (burning more calories), you should consume 5 to 6 smaller meals a day, about 200 to 300 calories each. Some helpful information on low-calorie foods: http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/low_calorie_cooking_basics. Nutrition is so important to me because, as i mentioned, I am an athlete and athletes require an even stronger calorie-watch and regulation: http://www.content4reprint.com/health/sports-nutrition-and-athletic-health.htm.

House of Sand and Fog

Kathy Niccolo is one of the main characters in the novel House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. Her character is one of high lack of control, addictive and harmful habits, and life full of secrets and lies. When placed in a stressful situation, as when she gets evicted from her house, Kathy crumbles; she goes back to heavy drinking, unsafe sex, and making up lies in order to hide her circumstances. Although her habits are obviously morally wrong, one cannot help but feel sympathy towards Kathy and the situation she is put in.

First of all, some information is given to inform the reader that Kathy had a troubled childhood. Her father wouldn't even look at her and her mother acted as if she didn't even exist. In that stage of early adolescence, one goes through a phase, which Psychologist Erik Erikson calles "identity versus role confusion". Kathy did not develop her identity at this level, thus her role in life is just that- confusion. She tends to be "clingy", and in need of attention, and this is why she gives herself to Lester so easily.

Another reason one feels compelled to sympathize with Kathy is because her own home, not just her house, is taken away by mistake. Dictionary.com defines home as "the place in which one's domestic affections are centered," and Kathy's home was more than just a place where she lived. To her, it represented stability, strength, and reality. Once it was wrongfully taken away, all these concepts vanished and Kathy felt as if she had nothing to hold her down.

One further basis of why one feels sympathy towards Kathy is because we can all identify with her, in a sense that we all have "bad days" and addictive behaviors. I, personally, have an addiction for seeking perfection. Some days, I feel like I accomplished my goals. Other days, when things don't go smoothly, I become irritated and lose a sense of control, just like Kathy. Although most of us, thankfully, have never been "in Kathy's shoes", we can all try to view life through her eyes and realize that life isn't easy.

This brings me to this year's theme of life and death. Life is about what one makes of it. The only truth to life is death. We don't have to do anything in life-except to die. The choices we make day-to-day ultimately shape who we are. Our thoughts and emotions help guide us through life. We all know, but abhor and dread to think about the only certainty, death. But, what is death? To some it may be the physical demise of life. To others it may mean a departure to an afterlife, one of higher bliss.