Non Capisco L'Italiano!

Translation: I do not understand Italian!

Languages. They are important, right? They allow us to communicate with each other and teach us about other cultures. So, my frustration is this: What is wrong with the United States of America?

I have European friends who know multiple languages. Their school requirements deemed this necessary early in life. So, why doesn't the US do the same? 

Some argue that it is simply because the radius of our country extends further than European countries or because English speaking people are found throughout the globe. What lame excuses.

Spanish is being incorporated into language requirements because of the increase in the US Spanish population. I hold disdain for this fact: You don't speak English, so we will be expected to speak Spanish. 

No. Everyone should be, at the very least, bilingual. I try to learn basic vocabulary for every country I visit. I should not expect them to know English. If happen to struggle with parts of the language, I can always inquire (in whatever language necessary): "Come si dice ____ in l'italiano?" (How do you say ____ in Italian?) "Che cosa voul dire..." (What does it mean to say...).

I believe that the US should instill multiple foreign languages in our vocabulary at early ages. Parents should also put forth the effort to teach their children other languages. Besides, it has been scientifically proven that music and language assist in brain development.

http://www.parentinginformation.org/braindevelopment.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060920093024.htm

Love is in the... Imagination?

I find it amusing how Spring arrives and relationship statuses being popping up all over facebook. That little heart appears frequently throughout your mini feed. As if that isn't enough public notification, you begin to notice all of the couples wandering around in extremely close proximity, holding hands, etc... in public places.

In my opinion, this only proves the fact that we are nothing but animals. Spring is mating season, so everyone feels this urge to be with another individual that will "complete them" (Please, excuse my cynicism).

This is highly debated under scientific studies. Some believe it is due to human evolution why we do not have a "season." However, some studies show that July, August and September are likely months for conception (followed by October, November and December). Ok, so everyone finds a significant other in the Spring and by late summer, fall and winter they are making babies! Hmm...

Regardless of the studies, you do not need another human being to "complete you." As a friend of mine once told me, "Everyone and everything will eventually let you down." So, don't be surprised when they do. Eventually, we'll be watching many of those little hearts form cracks in them and those relationships will have ended.

(Disclaimer: I am not referring to every relationship, just the flings that occur yearly)

If It's A Sunny Day, LSU Students Will Come Out To Play

So, I love living in various places and seeing the differences in the people who live there.

In Europe, I'm prepared to walk around amazing places in all types of weather. But, whether I am in Northern Germany or Southern Italy, I'm prepared for a lack of air conditioning with an increase of stairs... and lots of great food.

In Memphis, it rains, it snows, the sun shines and the wind blows. We don't really skip a beat. The weather changes frequently, and we just have to go with the flow of things.

In Massachusetts, it starts drizzling and there's either no leaving the house or huge umbrellas (according to Taya). But, they can deal with snow like no other... or at least like any of those far north.

In Baton Rouge, the city will shut down for snow. And, although they know the rain well enough, LSU's students are severely decreased during a day that is depleted of sunshine.

Today however, the sun was out along with the thousands of LSU students. The quad was crowded with Southerns welcoming the summer sun. Personally, I have one kind of favorite day - a sunny day with the perfect breeze. I am indifferent to all other weather, but I prefer Autumn to any other season. I may be a Southern girl, but I love to travel the world :)

Celebrity Lives and Magazine Racks:

So, I am standing in some rather disinclined line at the front of a grocery store - one which is part of a major chain. Naturally, there are racks filled with hopeful "last minute browsing before reaching the register" items. Usually, I would purposefully omit the existence of this clutter, however I chose a different path of, dare I say it, acknowledgement.

So, I am observing these racks and the individuals who are scanning them - so closely that you would think the meaning of their lives lay on the brightly colored magazine covers. 

At first, the images catch my eye - initially one of a sickly man. I then realize that this man is supposedly Patrick Swayze. My eyes then begin to scan the different headlines. "Down to 105lbs," "Living with Grief," "Now it's war," etc... Featuring celebrities Patrick Swayze, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. 

The headlines and photographs go on, but my mind focuses elsewhere. How do these families feel about their personal issues being plastered on the front pages? Patrick Swayze is fatally ill, and I can only imagine how his wife would have her stomach churn at the extra daily reminders. John Travolta and Kelly Preston lost a child, and that in itself is a pain that haunts them daily without needing a feature story. And, I am just glad Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's children cannot read or comprehend the tabloids. Could you imagine reading about your parents' possible split in a headline?

Majoring in Mass Communications: Public Relations exposes me to the world of communication, however journalism is something I frequently struggle with. When is enough ENOUGH? Where do we draw the line? What kind of ethics do we have in today's world? Do we simply disregard the feelings of others for our own personal gain? And, what about the people who purchase such things? Do they enjoy seeing others in pain? Does reading that make them feel any better at the end of the day?

In a visual communication class, I was distraught when I discovered that I could see pictures of my family members, those fighting in a war overseas, dead on the front page of the morning paper. Apparently, the media may not have an obligation to inform me before they print graphic pictures of my loved ones. Is that right? Is that ethical?

Freedom is an amazing, powerful and blessed thing. But, we should not abuse that freedom. We should not maliciously hinder the lives of others. We should respect and give support to those who are experiencing great pain in their lives. Because when it comes right down to it, your feet could end up in their shoes.

Letters, Photographs and Scrapbooks:

I wrote a letter to a friend who is so far away right now. In fact, it's the only way we can communicate. His absence makes me unbelievably empty, but writing him letters replaces that feeling with so many other emotions. We probably know each other's darkest secrets and deepest pains. The other will always be right, and we will always be wrong. He always knows what to say to make me feel better, and I selfishly miss him for that. We haven't always been perfect friends to each other, but I realize now that I could never abandon our friendship. He has proved that, even if I did, he would still be waiting for me to need him again. I have certainly found comfort in that.

Pictures of memories are a double edged sword. They can bring happiness, pain, nostalgia... a longing for the past or a need to erase what remained. Whatever it may be, eventually there will only be pictures. Tangible entities that can be easily dismembered, burned or forgotten. We may forget faces, events or places but every tiny detail in that photograph probably ends up defining us in some way. 

And in years to come, these letters and photographs that makes up scrapbooks will be nothing more than that - books. They will be lives of those who once lived. Their meaning will have died with the deceased and be forgotten. But right now, they are ours. Our memories, decisions, lives... So, consider the next snapshot carefully. 

"Scare tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on."  - Henry Rollins