Shaq Pays for N.C. Girl's Funeral -- NBA FanHouse
In this day and age, many athletes get a bad rep. From promiscuity and infedelity to drugs, gambling and tax evasion; many athletes don'y have a great reputation. So, when I read a story like this one, it makes me think that there are some good guys out there. Shaq just paid for the funeral of a 5 year old girl that he did not know and had never met. He didn't know her family and had never heard of them until he sawher story on the news; yet he paid for her funeral...It makes one think.
Now $5000 is nothing for a man who makes miilions, but he did it. I keep thinking back to "regular, every day" folks like me. What am I doing to help my fellow Americans? If Shaq can pay $5000 for a funeral can't I give a $1 to the Salvation Army bell ringers? I mean, I'm not balling and I do have bills, but what's a dollar or so to help out others, right? This weekend I was asked at least three times if I wanted to donate money for a good cause, and each time my answer was, "No, I don't have any cash on me". Technically that was true because I didn't have cash just a debit card, but if I can pay $250 for a flat scrren TV, then can't I pay $6 for the use of an ATM machine and then donate a few bucks to a good cause?
These days "regular, ever day" folks tend to think about themselves and not about others. We complain about the bills we have, the job that we have, the expenses that come with every day living, hell, we just complain. Shockingly, we never do anything proactive, meaning anything that would cease our complaining. We never try to cut back on the going out to eat, the shopping, the multiple trips to the grocery store for little items (instead of making just one big trip); we constatnly leave things plugged in running up electricity. And, amazingly, we hardly ever sit down to say thank you Lord for everything that you've done for me. I mean, yeah, gas is way too high, and yeah we have car notes, rent, bills, cell phones, etc to pay for; but think about the people who don't have a home or transportation or a job. Our lives could be so much worse, but we still complain.
Now, what does this have to do with Shaq paying for that little girl's funeral. In a way nothing. But ina way everything. Shaq paid for her funeral (I'm assuming with no questions asked and with no hesitation) out of the vast amounts of money that he has. He's done his part ot help others. What are we doing? I think a lot of people are under the mistaken impression that in order to give and helppeople, we have to be millionaires. Not so. We can give our time and yes, our money. Even if it's a dollar to the volunteers for the Salvation Army or a few bucks to St. Jude's it's more than what they had before you gave it. I feel bad for not giving up a buck or two considering what I had just bought, especially after reading about what Shaq did. Such a big heart! Next time, I'm going to donate some money and do my part to help humanity. You should do the same!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ungrateful Brats
Lately there have been many negative reports on teens/pre-teens/and young adults all throughout the media. From inappropriate outfits, to drinking, to theft; I want to highlight something else: UNGRATEFULNESS!!! No, it won't land you in prison and it's not against the law, but it is prevalent all the same. I work with kids and have been doing so since my sophomore year in college. I've come across some really sweet ones who will do all that you ask, no problem. I've coached kids fro 2 years and yet again I have come across some really and truly awesom kids. I mean they work hard and give you there all...clearly they have been taught well at home (which is where it all starts); but oh my! I've come across some little turds since I've worked with kids. I've had kids that I've tutored be disrespectful and lie on a daily basis. I've had kids that I've taught talk back, suck there teeth and tell me what they are and what they are not going to do. In coaching, I've had so many attitudes that it leaves me shocked and amazed...and thinking to myself: "if I would have ever said or acted like this when I was their age my parents would have beat the crap out of me. What is happening to parents these days and why aren't they discipling there own children?"
You know I'm only 25 (26 next month!) so it's not like I'm 50 and was raised by octagenarians. My parents had me at a young (20 and 21) age, so some of the kids I have taught/coached have parents the same age as mine, so they should have been raised in a household that demanded respect and obedience. So, I am really confused. While growing up, I was not allowed to "talk back". If my parents told me to go clean my room, I wasn't allowed to say "not right now, I'm busy" or "but I don't want to" or "it's clean enough". If a teacher told me I had homework, please believe things like, "I'm not oding that" never came out of my mouth. But today, that's all I am seeing. I have kids who when I tell them something they say things like, "well don't blame me if....because I'm not doing....." and I'm like are you serious?! Why are parents allowing these things? I understand children having an opinion, but not to the point that they are rude and disrespectful!
Then, gifts. Oh my gosh, I've never seen so many ungrateful little brats in my life! I mean from the smallest of the kids I've taught/coached/tutored to the oldest, thank you seems to not be a part of their vocabulary! I was always taught that when someone gives you something, you say thank you. Not with these ungrateful little turds. It's like they think you owe them a gift on Christmas, their birthdays, on celebration days, senior nights, graduation, or whatever event occurs. It's like the consider it to be their right Are you freaking kidding me? I'm not your parents (and even they aren't entitled to buy you gifts!), I don't OWE you anything! The least someone can do is say "THANK YOU!" Parents, you need to teach your children manners! These ungrateful little brats are going to be our future. Can you imagine a future with kids who don't know simple manners like, "thank you", "please", "ma'am", and "sir"? Or a future with every child talking back and having attitudes with any and everybody? Or how about a future in which everyone is disrespectful? I am so disgusted with the behavior of some children and even more disgusted with the parents of these children. Parents need to go back to teaching their children and making them read Emily Post if that's what it will take to get their children to be respectful kids. I'm not a parent, but I was raised by some darn great parents. I went to church and participated in the choir and on the usher board. I knew when to speak and not to speak (as in if adults are talking you don't butt in and interupt!). I knew how to say thank you (even if I didn't like what I was given). I said "ma'am" and "sir". I rarely talked back or had an attitude. Was I a perfect child? No! If I raised my voice only slightly (and this is no exaggeration) my parents would say, "Who do you think you're raising your voice to?"; If I said, "but..." after they told me to do something, I was told "Who doo you think you're back talking to?" If I was told something I didn't like, and my facial expression or body language even remotely looked like I had and attitude or was about to get an attitude, I was immediately called on the carpet for it. My parents put the fear of God in me when it came to be a respectful, well mannered child; and those same traits and values that my parents taught me have stuck with me through life to where things like "ma'am" and "sir" and "thank you" are ingrained and automatic! I don't have to think twice about whether I should say them or not. Things like respecting my elders even when I don't agree with them or particularly like them are instinctual. If parents would teach their children things like my parents taught me, the world would be a much bettter place, and teachers/coaches jobs would be ten times easier. I'll bet you that even test scores would improve!
Basically, I am just tired with the attitudinal, disrespectful, and crappy kids that sometimes cross my path. No, not every kid that I meet is like this. I have some really fantastic kids for the most part, but there are always a few that makes me just plain angry. I love teaching and coaching...I just wish that kids were more respectful and well mannered.
You know I'm only 25 (26 next month!) so it's not like I'm 50 and was raised by octagenarians. My parents had me at a young (20 and 21) age, so some of the kids I have taught/coached have parents the same age as mine, so they should have been raised in a household that demanded respect and obedience. So, I am really confused. While growing up, I was not allowed to "talk back". If my parents told me to go clean my room, I wasn't allowed to say "not right now, I'm busy" or "but I don't want to" or "it's clean enough". If a teacher told me I had homework, please believe things like, "I'm not oding that" never came out of my mouth. But today, that's all I am seeing. I have kids who when I tell them something they say things like, "well don't blame me if....because I'm not doing....." and I'm like are you serious?! Why are parents allowing these things? I understand children having an opinion, but not to the point that they are rude and disrespectful!
Then, gifts. Oh my gosh, I've never seen so many ungrateful little brats in my life! I mean from the smallest of the kids I've taught/coached/tutored to the oldest, thank you seems to not be a part of their vocabulary! I was always taught that when someone gives you something, you say thank you. Not with these ungrateful little turds. It's like they think you owe them a gift on Christmas, their birthdays, on celebration days, senior nights, graduation, or whatever event occurs. It's like the consider it to be their right Are you freaking kidding me? I'm not your parents (and even they aren't entitled to buy you gifts!), I don't OWE you anything! The least someone can do is say "THANK YOU!" Parents, you need to teach your children manners! These ungrateful little brats are going to be our future. Can you imagine a future with kids who don't know simple manners like, "thank you", "please", "ma'am", and "sir"? Or a future with every child talking back and having attitudes with any and everybody? Or how about a future in which everyone is disrespectful? I am so disgusted with the behavior of some children and even more disgusted with the parents of these children. Parents need to go back to teaching their children and making them read Emily Post if that's what it will take to get their children to be respectful kids. I'm not a parent, but I was raised by some darn great parents. I went to church and participated in the choir and on the usher board. I knew when to speak and not to speak (as in if adults are talking you don't butt in and interupt!). I knew how to say thank you (even if I didn't like what I was given). I said "ma'am" and "sir". I rarely talked back or had an attitude. Was I a perfect child? No! If I raised my voice only slightly (and this is no exaggeration) my parents would say, "Who do you think you're raising your voice to?"; If I said, "but..." after they told me to do something, I was told "Who doo you think you're back talking to?" If I was told something I didn't like, and my facial expression or body language even remotely looked like I had and attitude or was about to get an attitude, I was immediately called on the carpet for it. My parents put the fear of God in me when it came to be a respectful, well mannered child; and those same traits and values that my parents taught me have stuck with me through life to where things like "ma'am" and "sir" and "thank you" are ingrained and automatic! I don't have to think twice about whether I should say them or not. Things like respecting my elders even when I don't agree with them or particularly like them are instinctual. If parents would teach their children things like my parents taught me, the world would be a much bettter place, and teachers/coaches jobs would be ten times easier. I'll bet you that even test scores would improve!
Basically, I am just tired with the attitudinal, disrespectful, and crappy kids that sometimes cross my path. No, not every kid that I meet is like this. I have some really fantastic kids for the most part, but there are always a few that makes me just plain angry. I love teaching and coaching...I just wish that kids were more respectful and well mannered.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Spanish Prime Minister's Daughters
So obviously people have nothing better to do with their time than to criticize innocent teenagers and their choice of dress. I mean seriously? Why are we focused on what they are wearing? Why aren't we reporting on what the meeting between the President and the Prime Minister was about? Since when is it okay to criticize and pass judgement on teenagers? This was one of the first public events that those girls went to and the public was not supportive. Instead they ripped those babies to shreds all over wearing black. Shame on you (the people who wrote, judged, and published those articles)! Every teenager goes through phases, heck every child goes through phases (little boys thinking they're superman or batman and flying around with a cape, teen girls who dot their I's with hearts or fancy themselves in love with whatever rock star is popular, teens who went through the stage of thinking big hair was cute, the list is endless). IF the young ladies are goths...who cares?! They're entitled to be individuals who think for themselves. We should not pass judgement on their ways of expressing themselves. They aren't hurting anyone by dressing as they do, so what's the big deal?
I feel badly for the children of famous parents. They don't get the chance to be a normal child. They're constantly being photographed and judged. They can't go where they want to go, they can't dress as they want to dress, they can't say what they want to say, and they are constantly hounded by paparazzi and reporters who are only out to make a buck and don't care that the slop that they write about these children can tear down their self-esteem. Parents who work hard to keep their children out of the spotlight are criticized and ridiculed. Remember the Tom Cruise Katie Holmes fiasco, with people saying their adorable little girl, Suri, was not real. I mean come on! Just because they didn't want to expose her to the world and wanted to guard her from others doesn't mean she's a figment of their imagination. I don't blame them for not letting the paparazzi see her. Kudos to them! It's not anyone's business what someone else's child looks like. It's not anyone business what someone else's child wears or does.
The media makes it hard for these innocent children, who never asked to be famous, to lead normal lives. If they're hidden, when they eventually surface the media is all over them like a hemorrhoid. If they are already constantly in the media, they can't even eat a burger without the media reporting that they're fat. Seriously, let these kids have a breather...better yet leave them alone! How would the paparazzi like it, if the shoes were on the other foot and they were the one who was being constantly photographed or their children were being constantly photographed? They wouldn't like it, that's what would happen. They would have hissy fits and complain. Don't get me wrong I think these kids are adorable, from Suri's cute clothes and Zuma's mohawk all the way to President Obama's cute little girls (oh my gosh, I LOVE Sasha's little dimples and mischievous smile! and Malia's hairstyles and clothes!), but I don't think that the media should spend their time taking pictures of these kids. What they should be concentrating on is: health care, international relations, equality, world hunger, poverty, disease, and the list goes on and on...
If I were famous and I had kids, I think I would have to give up my fame and live in obscurity so that my kids could have a normal life!
I feel badly for the children of famous parents. They don't get the chance to be a normal child. They're constantly being photographed and judged. They can't go where they want to go, they can't dress as they want to dress, they can't say what they want to say, and they are constantly hounded by paparazzi and reporters who are only out to make a buck and don't care that the slop that they write about these children can tear down their self-esteem. Parents who work hard to keep their children out of the spotlight are criticized and ridiculed. Remember the Tom Cruise Katie Holmes fiasco, with people saying their adorable little girl, Suri, was not real. I mean come on! Just because they didn't want to expose her to the world and wanted to guard her from others doesn't mean she's a figment of their imagination. I don't blame them for not letting the paparazzi see her. Kudos to them! It's not anyone's business what someone else's child looks like. It's not anyone business what someone else's child wears or does.
The media makes it hard for these innocent children, who never asked to be famous, to lead normal lives. If they're hidden, when they eventually surface the media is all over them like a hemorrhoid. If they are already constantly in the media, they can't even eat a burger without the media reporting that they're fat. Seriously, let these kids have a breather...better yet leave them alone! How would the paparazzi like it, if the shoes were on the other foot and they were the one who was being constantly photographed or their children were being constantly photographed? They wouldn't like it, that's what would happen. They would have hissy fits and complain. Don't get me wrong I think these kids are adorable, from Suri's cute clothes and Zuma's mohawk all the way to President Obama's cute little girls (oh my gosh, I LOVE Sasha's little dimples and mischievous smile! and Malia's hairstyles and clothes!), but I don't think that the media should spend their time taking pictures of these kids. What they should be concentrating on is: health care, international relations, equality, world hunger, poverty, disease, and the list goes on and on...
If I were famous and I had kids, I think I would have to give up my fame and live in obscurity so that my kids could have a normal life!
Friday, September 25, 2009
America's Next Top Model Cycle 13
Okay, so I will be the first to admit that when I first heard about Tyra getting short models on this cycle, my first thought was: "short models? Isn't that an oxymoron? Doesn't Tyra always talk about how most models in the industry are tall?" I wasn't terribly impressed or even interested in this season, but I decided to give it a try anyway, and to my surprise I liked it! I like Sundai's crazy spunk, Nicole's quiet serenity, and Laura's down home country girl persona! But along with the good comes the usual crop of bad mouth, messy, know it alls that ANTM is famous for having every season.
The first week (and the second week), Bianca got on my last nerves! She was too headstrong and thought she was all that! She was not willing to change her look and just trust the professionals' opinions. She was very resistant to what they were trying to do to her, and I thought: "Goodness, hasn't she learned from previous ANTM seasons when models have complained and resisted change? Hasn't she been watching this show from its inception? Doesn't she know to just shut up and smile even though she doesn't agree?"
I mean seriously, girls have had all of their hair cut off, painful weaves, and burning hair dyes put on their head; and Bianca complains about her eyebrows being colored. Seriously?! You're competing for a modeling contract honey. What are you going if you land a job and they want to dye your hair fire engine red and dye your eyebrows blue? Are you going to complain or are you going to be a professional, smile, get the stuff dyed, and then go home and dye it back to your satisfaction? This Bianca's attitude, sort of reminded me of the last Bianca's attitude. What's with the Bianca's on this show?!
Then this week, emerged some more true colors. Ashley and Lulu. Wow! Can we say, messy? They talk about just about everyone. Don't they know that this is going to air? Don't they realize that in the past the catty girls always go home? They just ganged up on Bianca. I mean, I don't too much care for the girl; but I wouldn't waste precious time talking about her while I'm competing in a competition! Ashley and Lulu thought to criticize Brittney on her walk, and Brittney turned around and won the runway challenge. (I'll bet Brittney was thinking: Take that, Ashley and Lulu!...I know I sure would have!) Lulu criticized Brittney's shoot, and while it was indeed pretty bad, who died and made Lulu the authority on photo shoots? Who made her the expert? I thought that the reason she was here was because she was trying to learn and get a contract, not critique other models. Plus, she was told twice that her walk was not good, but instead of heeding the advice, she goes on about how she has a "signature walk" (Camille from Season 2 coined this particular catch phrase), and how she's not going to change it. Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, but if one of the judges told me that I needed to change my walk, I wouldn't start talking about my walk being a "signature walk"; I'd correct it, and then talk about it being a "signature walk". In the end she went home, and I thought that was a wise decision; it meant that one less messy person was left on the show.
Kara resembles Cindy Crawford, and while that's great, Cindy Crawford is a big name to live up to. Kara has a unique look, and it will take time for me to get used to. I'm not saying I don't like her, she has taken some nice photos, but I'll definitely have to get used to her look. Nicole is so awesome. I like the fact that she didn't let Ashley and Lulu influence her friendship towards Bianca. She did exactly like I would have done: she got to know Bianca on her own without letting someone else tell her what was "good for her". She's a very peaceful and serene person so far and I can dig that...not to mention her pictures are awesome!
Laura. Laura. Laura...You are my favorite this season! She is so funny and real. "I use the grocery store aisle as my runway!" I LOVE LOVE LOVE that! She's just so funny and down to earth. I laughed like crazy when she talked about life on the farm and castrating cows! Although she will have to work on her accent (remember Danielle?) if she makes it any further on this show (which I hope that she will).
Rae is...I don't know yet...she doesn't get a lot of screen time, so it's difficult to tell what her personality is like. I know that I fell in love with her ballet picture though! Her "tall" picture fell a little short (pun intended). Sundai is crazy, but could be a tad bit messy. It was not necessary to tell Bianca what Courtney said, after all Courtney is gone. She's spunky, but I do wish she would learn how to dress for panel! Jennifer is gorgeous! She's like the opposite of Sheena (I loved Sheena's attitude, but not her overly sexy style of posing). She's seems quiet, demure, and very elegant. Whereas I can see Sheena doing Baby Phat, I can't see Jennifer doing it. I can however, see Jennifer doing high fashion. Her "tall" photo was gorgeous. Erin for some odd reason reminds me of Anna Faris and Hermoine from Harry Potter. That's not a bad thing (I love Harry Potter). Her "tall" shot made her legs look endless. Everyone had better not sleep on her, so far she hasn't said much, she's letting her pictures do the talking for her.
All in all the models this season have been better than some of the panel's previous choices (sometimes I wonder about the people they pick!). If they could just remember that this is a competition--you're not there to make friends, you're there to win.--they could do pretty well in the industry. Now, if only Tyra can stop with the painful acting and horrible accent (Super Smize? Really? That was painful to watch). Tyra may want to cut out the theatrics, the last few seasons have been torturous to watch because Tyra comes up with these crazy themes (remember when she was a like a fairy queen dispensing makeovers? or how about the who beaming to and fro?...) and it's getting pretty ridiculous! Love the show though!
OH! AND PLEASE DON'T THINK I HAVEN'T NOTICED HOW THERE IS NOT ONE THICK CHICK ON THE SHOW!!!
Til next week...
Lele
The first week (and the second week), Bianca got on my last nerves! She was too headstrong and thought she was all that! She was not willing to change her look and just trust the professionals' opinions. She was very resistant to what they were trying to do to her, and I thought: "Goodness, hasn't she learned from previous ANTM seasons when models have complained and resisted change? Hasn't she been watching this show from its inception? Doesn't she know to just shut up and smile even though she doesn't agree?"
I mean seriously, girls have had all of their hair cut off, painful weaves, and burning hair dyes put on their head; and Bianca complains about her eyebrows being colored. Seriously?! You're competing for a modeling contract honey. What are you going if you land a job and they want to dye your hair fire engine red and dye your eyebrows blue? Are you going to complain or are you going to be a professional, smile, get the stuff dyed, and then go home and dye it back to your satisfaction? This Bianca's attitude, sort of reminded me of the last Bianca's attitude. What's with the Bianca's on this show?!
Then this week, emerged some more true colors. Ashley and Lulu. Wow! Can we say, messy? They talk about just about everyone. Don't they know that this is going to air? Don't they realize that in the past the catty girls always go home? They just ganged up on Bianca. I mean, I don't too much care for the girl; but I wouldn't waste precious time talking about her while I'm competing in a competition! Ashley and Lulu thought to criticize Brittney on her walk, and Brittney turned around and won the runway challenge. (I'll bet Brittney was thinking: Take that, Ashley and Lulu!...I know I sure would have!) Lulu criticized Brittney's shoot, and while it was indeed pretty bad, who died and made Lulu the authority on photo shoots? Who made her the expert? I thought that the reason she was here was because she was trying to learn and get a contract, not critique other models. Plus, she was told twice that her walk was not good, but instead of heeding the advice, she goes on about how she has a "signature walk" (Camille from Season 2 coined this particular catch phrase), and how she's not going to change it. Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, but if one of the judges told me that I needed to change my walk, I wouldn't start talking about my walk being a "signature walk"; I'd correct it, and then talk about it being a "signature walk". In the end she went home, and I thought that was a wise decision; it meant that one less messy person was left on the show.
Kara resembles Cindy Crawford, and while that's great, Cindy Crawford is a big name to live up to. Kara has a unique look, and it will take time for me to get used to. I'm not saying I don't like her, she has taken some nice photos, but I'll definitely have to get used to her look. Nicole is so awesome. I like the fact that she didn't let Ashley and Lulu influence her friendship towards Bianca. She did exactly like I would have done: she got to know Bianca on her own without letting someone else tell her what was "good for her". She's a very peaceful and serene person so far and I can dig that...not to mention her pictures are awesome!
Laura. Laura. Laura...You are my favorite this season! She is so funny and real. "I use the grocery store aisle as my runway!" I LOVE LOVE LOVE that! She's just so funny and down to earth. I laughed like crazy when she talked about life on the farm and castrating cows! Although she will have to work on her accent (remember Danielle?) if she makes it any further on this show (which I hope that she will).
Rae is...I don't know yet...she doesn't get a lot of screen time, so it's difficult to tell what her personality is like. I know that I fell in love with her ballet picture though! Her "tall" picture fell a little short (pun intended). Sundai is crazy, but could be a tad bit messy. It was not necessary to tell Bianca what Courtney said, after all Courtney is gone. She's spunky, but I do wish she would learn how to dress for panel! Jennifer is gorgeous! She's like the opposite of Sheena (I loved Sheena's attitude, but not her overly sexy style of posing). She's seems quiet, demure, and very elegant. Whereas I can see Sheena doing Baby Phat, I can't see Jennifer doing it. I can however, see Jennifer doing high fashion. Her "tall" photo was gorgeous. Erin for some odd reason reminds me of Anna Faris and Hermoine from Harry Potter. That's not a bad thing (I love Harry Potter). Her "tall" shot made her legs look endless. Everyone had better not sleep on her, so far she hasn't said much, she's letting her pictures do the talking for her.
All in all the models this season have been better than some of the panel's previous choices (sometimes I wonder about the people they pick!). If they could just remember that this is a competition--you're not there to make friends, you're there to win.--they could do pretty well in the industry. Now, if only Tyra can stop with the painful acting and horrible accent (Super Smize? Really? That was painful to watch). Tyra may want to cut out the theatrics, the last few seasons have been torturous to watch because Tyra comes up with these crazy themes (remember when she was a like a fairy queen dispensing makeovers? or how about the who beaming to and fro?...) and it's getting pretty ridiculous! Love the show though!
OH! AND PLEASE DON'T THINK I HAVEN'T NOTICED HOW THERE IS NOT ONE THICK CHICK ON THE SHOW!!!
Til next week...
Lele
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