Holywood Diet

We all know that todays typical appearance should be utlra, ultra thin right? Well how can you say no when all you see these days on MTV are potentional wannabe models on the show Americas Next Top Model and girls with nice bodies dancing in the music videos. Famous actresses such as Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Aniston and Paris Hilton fill the tabloids with their tiny bodies. So, how are girls today suppose to feel comfortable in their own skin? By going on Weight Watchers, joining Jenny Craig, the South Beach Diet and even the Hollywood Diet. NO! However, a lot of talking has been going on about the Hollywood Diet and how condtradictory it is.

Eric Greenspan, owner and chef of a restaurant in Hollywood says "They spend their whole lives obsessing over a healthy body, so they come to a restaurant like mine and order their salmon steamed and then wake up at 2 a.m. and go to Tommy’s and get chili cheese fries.” Boulevards in Hollywood are covered with hot-dog stands, taco carts and stand-alone cupcake shops that open every other month! As one of the young women in todays 21st century I feel that young girls shouldnt be pressured to change their appearances just because you have these wealthy young girls and women "drowning" in money, which most of them probably use to make themselves skinnier and younger looking =) So just be YOU!

Hmmm what else to write?

After constantly posting several blogs a month I start to think, "what else can I write about that interests both my audience and I?" Well I am stumped people! I mean yeah I can think of silly things to write but then that would not go with my whole them of "The Interests of a Young Woman." My goal is to seek for information about the outside world and to not write just about what goes on in my daily day-to-day routine. Because that would just bore me! Just kidding folks but anyway this is going to be a short one because I don't know what to write and if I did I would of course provide you with much more information than this. But do not fear I will be back with more interesting news and the latest gossip to last you with a year of conversational topics for you and your friends to enjoy!

A Tragic Hit & Run Story

Just yesterday a nineteen-year-old boy turned himself, accompanied by his parents, into the police. On Tuesday night, this boy (who will remain anonymous) was driving home form his job in Bay Bridge Brooklyn, where he works and resides, to give his older brother back his Mercedes- Benz. Traveling over the speed limit on Hylan Blvd. he hit a forty-two-year-old woman, wife and mother. Police say if the boy had not fled the scene he might have recieved a speeding ticket instead of now being faced with a felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Relatives of the forty-two-old woman says no matter how many tears rolls down ones' face, "you do not leave somebody dead in the street." I agree with this statement, as much as I believe the sorriful boy, you don't hit and then run from a crime, especially one you have just committed. The victims husband is upset that this nineteen-year-old boy has already been released from jail free of bail. He stated that "this is not a game."

Everybody LOVES Candy !!!

During Halloweeen season shelves in local stores are quickly emptied by trick-or-treaters. In many households bags of m&m's, snickers, skittles, milkyways, kit-kats and more fill a decorative halloween bowl. This bowl is used to satisfy the ghouls and goblins that walk the street on hallow's eve. However, those sticky lolipops and hard gumballs can get one's teeth in trouble. In a recent newspaper article the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommend both children and adults who wear braces to avoid candies that are "sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy." Doesn't that sound like every candy ever made? Well almost but not quite all. Plain chocolate candy is okay as long as the consumers brush and floss afterwards. However, bobbing for apples or eating those delicious caramel apples is not suitable. Patients can have thinly sliced apple pieces and can add flavor by dipping them in yogurt or creamy chocolate sauce. Yum! So for all those trick-or-treaters out there . . . BEWARE OF THE CANDY!

Asleep . . . but Active?

I came across an article in the New York Times that really caught my attention. It talked about the phases of sleep. The reason why this article caught my eye was because of the drawing and the layout. It was not one of those boring articles where you had to read about two pages of size five font letters! Instead, it displayed a silhouette of a person lying on their side sleeping and there were captions placed above the drawing describing the different stages one goes through while sleeping. I found this article interesting because when we sleep we tend to think we’re “dead to the world,” or at least I think that and I feel that we should know what goes on in our bodies while we are sleeping.
Well the article breaks it down like this: There are five stages of sleep – Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep. During the first stage of sleep the person can still be awakened and muscle contractions occur. In stage two, breathing becomes regular and body temperature as well as heart decreases as the body prepares to go into a deep sleep. Throughout the third and fourth phase, your heart rate is at its lowest. Sleepwalking or “nightmares” can take place. Bones and muscle are being built and tissues are restored. The most active stage of sleep is REM. The brain becomes very active which allows for dream to happen. Our limbs are effectively paralyzed because a control region in the brain stem sends signals to shut off neurons in the spinal cord, preventing us from acting on our dreams. Body temperature control changes so that no sweating or shivering occurs in response to changes in room temperature. And lastly, the eyes dart around and wouldn’t you think so since this stage is called Rapid Eye Movement? So, I found this article entertaining as well as knowledgeable to know what REALLY happens while I sleep.

Fright Fest

Yesterday I traveled to Six Flags Great Adventure with three of my best friends. My boyfriend and some of his friends were suppose to join us but that blew over. Anyway we went to Six Flags because they hold an annual Fright Fest. Fright Fest at Six Flags means that the park is decorated to fit the spirit of Halloween along with ghouls and goblins. The main feature of Fright Fest is the scarry goblins and ghosts! Obviously there are not real ghosts but they are people in costumes with very good, detailed make-up. Many people have heard of Fright Fest and have even been to Fright Fest but I have never had the experience of attending Fright Fest.

My friends and I arrived at the park around 3:00 o'clock. We walked around for awhile trying to figure out which rides were in which direction. Finally we saw a ride that we all wanted to go on however the wait was said to be about four hours. We all agreed to find another ride and when we arrived at another rollercoaster the wait time was also said to be a long wait. So, we decided to eat since it was nearly 5:00 o'clock and Fright Fest began at 6:00 o'clock sharp. We didnt have a variety of dinner options so we resorted to chicken tenders, hot dogs, cheese fries and coca-colas. By the time we were done eating it was 6:05 and the goblins were sent out. So, we began walking until we heard screaming from behind us so we turned around and there was a guy in a mask with a chain saw chasing the people behind us who quickly got in front of us to hide from the man. We also saw a man in handcuffs who was scarring little children which i found mean. The one creature who scarred me the most was a man, who was suppose to have risen from the ground, who dragged a metal shovel along the ground. Just the sound of the scrapping of the shovel on the ground sent chills through my body.

As we walked around to see the rest of the scarry creatures we came across a concert. On the stage was several frightening characters whom were dancing to loud, scary music. We watched for awhile as they performed fairly well and headed for the exit. Since it was packed the car was pretty deep in the parking lot so we had a few giggles and laughs on our way over to the car. When I arrived home the first question my mother and brother had were "Did you get scarred?" And my answer was "Of course!" I recommend those who have not gone to Fright Fest please take an opportunity to go this week or wait till next year. Trust me, it's worth the wait!

"Giving Kids the World"

"Giving Kids the World" is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village. Consider spending your spring break trip living out the St. John's University Mission and helping those in need! "Giving Kids the World" is the second annual tri-campus Greek Life community service trip. I am now a part of Greek Life and I know that Greek Life has been stereotyped as selfish and non-charitable. However, I am proud that through this organization we can show all that none of the rumors are true! Being part of a sorority gives me the free chance and several charitable obligations to apply too.

There is a spot in Central Florida called "Give Kids The World Village." It is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 75,000 families from all 50 states and over 50 countries. I unfortuantely can not attend this wonderful oppoortunity but for those of you out there who want to give, give, give the date is February 24th - 29th, 2008.