Thursday, March 29, 2012
J= Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett's Maragaritaville is one of the best restaurants I have eaten at. There aren't many restaurants located in the northeast but if you're ever traveling south there is one in Myrtle Beach (the one I went to), Nashville, Florida, New Orleans, Arizona, and a few other locations out west. Margaritaville has a great family environment. The restaurant is so upbeat and fun with its tropical setting. Right in the center of the restaurant is a humungous statue of a margarita! The last time I went there was a parrot outside! They have live music playing every night of the week and on a rare occasion you might see Jimmy Buffett himself! They even have a gift shop in another part of the restaurant with Jimmy Buffett souvenirs. The service there is always friendly and entertaining. The restaurant in Myrtle Beach is located in the perfect spot; right at the center of Broadway at the Beach with shopping, rides and plenty of other attractions. The menu includes plenty of delicious burgers, sandwiches, chicken, shrimp and tons of other seafood. The meals are reasonably priced with burgers and sandwiches around $12 and seafood and steak around $20. I would definately reccomend going to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville for a night of entertainment, great food and great music!
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Book that Changed My Life
The book that changed my life is A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer. This book is an autobiography about a boy (Dave Pelzer) who was brutally abused as a child. I think the reason this book is so powerful and inspiring is because it's an autobiography. The author is telling us his story from his point of view and that makes the experience so real. Reading him describe how he was so badly abused throughout his childhood was heartbreaking. I just couldn't believe what I was reading. I couldn't imagine any parent would be cruel enough to torture their child over and over again to the point where they are near death. The author doesn't hold back anything. He describes in detail the pain of being beaten and starved by his alcoholic mother. Some of the suffering she put him through brought me to tears. At some parts it was almost too much for me to handle just reading about the misery he had to deal with every single minute of every single day. It seems unbearable for a child to live like that and put up with such horrible torment. I can't understand why or how a mother could ever harm her own child to the point where she sees them as just an "it". Reading Dave Pelzer's book made take a minute to stop and think about how fortunate I really am. Not only that but also made me realize that child abuse is a real and horrible thing, that it does happen, probably more often than we think. This book took me away from my happy life and made me look through someone else's eyes. There are so many horrid and terrible things that happen in this world that most people don't even notice. We live in a world with so many faults and tragedies and reading Dave Pelzer's story broke my heart in more ways than one. I am thankful for everything I've been blessed with and I can only hope and pray for anyone who is suffering in this world. I will never forget A Child Called "It".
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Bucket List
1. Go to Australia. I've always been fascinated with this country because of the wildlife and the environment. I also love their accents!
2. Play soccer in college. Soccer is something I love doing and to be able to play for my school with new teammates and friends would be an amazing experience.
3. Ride a motorcycle. Even though it can be dangerous it looks so thrilling!
4. Go water skiing. I've gone tubing and I absolutely love it. Water skiing seems like just as much fun!
5. Go scuba diving. Underwater life amazes me. I'd love to see it up close.
6. Go horseback riding on the beach. The beach is one of my favorite places to be. A nice horseback ride along the shore sounds perfect to me. Expecially at sunset!
7. Sing karaoke. This has always been something I've wanted to do. Even though I'm not a good singer I still love to sing and dance!
8. Jump from a cliff into deep water. I love the feeling of anything that is breathtaking and maybe a little scary.
9. Learn to surf. I think surfing is an incredible sport and something I would enjoy learning because I love the ocean.
10. Ride in a hot air balloon. A view from up that high would be magnificent!
2. Play soccer in college. Soccer is something I love doing and to be able to play for my school with new teammates and friends would be an amazing experience.
3. Ride a motorcycle. Even though it can be dangerous it looks so thrilling!
4. Go water skiing. I've gone tubing and I absolutely love it. Water skiing seems like just as much fun!
5. Go scuba diving. Underwater life amazes me. I'd love to see it up close.
6. Go horseback riding on the beach. The beach is one of my favorite places to be. A nice horseback ride along the shore sounds perfect to me. Expecially at sunset!
7. Sing karaoke. This has always been something I've wanted to do. Even though I'm not a good singer I still love to sing and dance!
8. Jump from a cliff into deep water. I love the feeling of anything that is breathtaking and maybe a little scary.
9. Learn to surf. I think surfing is an incredible sport and something I would enjoy learning because I love the ocean.
10. Ride in a hot air balloon. A view from up that high would be magnificent!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Language of Song
Je Cours by Kyo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1QnH2RypYYnglish
Song lyrics French and English translation: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/Le-Cours-Le-Cours.html
Today is the big day, the day my life changes and I start a new chapter. Today I go to college. As sad as I am leaving my friends and family, it's time for me to begin a journey that will lead me to the rest of my life. I have so many mixed emotions passing through me. I'm scared, excited, nervous, anxious and hopeful, all at the same time. I finish packing me last bag and zip it up as my mom walks in the door.
"Ready to go, honey?" she says.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," I reply.
We pack up the car and in minutes were on the road. The whole way down I was pretty quiet. All I could think about was how much this matters in my life. After almost dropping out of highschool I'm lucky I got into college. It wasn't easy but I dealt with it one step at a time. School has never been my forte. I always fell behind the other students and needed extra help. I won't be able to get as much help in college though, so this is my chance to prove to everyone that I can do this. I need to do this. I need to prove to myself that I can accomplish something on my own.
"You know your father and I are so proud of you," my mom says as we near the campus.
"I know we've been hard on you but it's only because we want you to succeed and we know you are capable of that," my dad adds.
"I know," I respond. "I think I hit rock bottom last year but that's what brought me to where I am now."
We pull up to the campus and start unpacking the car. I notice my parents take their time because they want to savor every minute with me before it's finally time for them to leave. I know I'll miss them everyday but this is something I have to do alone no matter how hard it is. It might be a struggle everyday but in the end it will be what saves me.
Song lyrics French and English translation: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/Le-Cours-Le-Cours.html
Today is the big day, the day my life changes and I start a new chapter. Today I go to college. As sad as I am leaving my friends and family, it's time for me to begin a journey that will lead me to the rest of my life. I have so many mixed emotions passing through me. I'm scared, excited, nervous, anxious and hopeful, all at the same time. I finish packing me last bag and zip it up as my mom walks in the door.
"Ready to go, honey?" she says.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," I reply.
We pack up the car and in minutes were on the road. The whole way down I was pretty quiet. All I could think about was how much this matters in my life. After almost dropping out of highschool I'm lucky I got into college. It wasn't easy but I dealt with it one step at a time. School has never been my forte. I always fell behind the other students and needed extra help. I won't be able to get as much help in college though, so this is my chance to prove to everyone that I can do this. I need to do this. I need to prove to myself that I can accomplish something on my own.
"You know your father and I are so proud of you," my mom says as we near the campus.
"I know we've been hard on you but it's only because we want you to succeed and we know you are capable of that," my dad adds.
"I know," I respond. "I think I hit rock bottom last year but that's what brought me to where I am now."
We pull up to the campus and start unpacking the car. I notice my parents take their time because they want to savor every minute with me before it's finally time for them to leave. I know I'll miss them everyday but this is something I have to do alone no matter how hard it is. It might be a struggle everyday but in the end it will be what saves me.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
TU Tuesday- Crime
http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Mo-man-convicted-of-murdering-infant-son-3407642.php
http://www.crimevictimsunited.org/measure11/murderguidelines.htm
http://www.ehow.com/about_5466082_murder-sentencing-guidelines.html
Question: How does a jury determine how long a person's sentence is? What factors contribute to the sentence?
I read an article about a man who was convicted of killing his 8-month-old son who he claims was kidnapped by intruders while the man was knocked out. The article explains "The 31-year-old Carthage man faces 10 to 30 years in prison when he's sentenced April 30." According to the Sentencing Guidelines as Applied to Murder "Sentencing guidelines specifies "presumptive sentences" for each crime. The presumptive sentence depends on the classification of the offender based on his or her prior convictions." So a huge factor in determining a sentence is their history and if they have previously comitted crimes or been in trouble with the law. Although most people recieve the original sentence the judge can make changes or alterations based on certain circumstances. "Under specific aggravating circumstances, the judge can go up to twice the presumptive sentence (upward departure). Under specific mitigating circumstances, the judge can order a lower sentence (downward departure). " Factors like whether the offender cooperated with the state or played a minor role can make a sentence longer or shorter. Judges must oversee all aspects of the crime. The Murder Sentencing Guidelines describes what they look for. "Murder sentencing guidelines in most jurisidictions take into account considerations such as the the reason for the murder, how it was committed, why it was committed, and any special characteristics of both the victim and the murderer, such as age, disability, or vulnerability. Courts may also consider the murderer's criminal history, and whether the death was related to other crimes such as a drug deal or robbery." Sentencing can vary depending on the state or country you live in. Some states require a death sentence, some have manditory life sentences and others have different minimum sentences.
http://www.crimevictimsunited.org/measure11/murderguidelines.htm
http://www.ehow.com/about_5466082_murder-sentencing-guidelines.html
Question: How does a jury determine how long a person's sentence is? What factors contribute to the sentence?
I read an article about a man who was convicted of killing his 8-month-old son who he claims was kidnapped by intruders while the man was knocked out. The article explains "The 31-year-old Carthage man faces 10 to 30 years in prison when he's sentenced April 30." According to the Sentencing Guidelines as Applied to Murder "Sentencing guidelines specifies "presumptive sentences" for each crime. The presumptive sentence depends on the classification of the offender based on his or her prior convictions." So a huge factor in determining a sentence is their history and if they have previously comitted crimes or been in trouble with the law. Although most people recieve the original sentence the judge can make changes or alterations based on certain circumstances. "Under specific aggravating circumstances, the judge can go up to twice the presumptive sentence (upward departure). Under specific mitigating circumstances, the judge can order a lower sentence (downward departure). " Factors like whether the offender cooperated with the state or played a minor role can make a sentence longer or shorter. Judges must oversee all aspects of the crime. The Murder Sentencing Guidelines describes what they look for. "Murder sentencing guidelines in most jurisidictions take into account considerations such as the the reason for the murder, how it was committed, why it was committed, and any special characteristics of both the victim and the murderer, such as age, disability, or vulnerability. Courts may also consider the murderer's criminal history, and whether the death was related to other crimes such as a drug deal or robbery." Sentencing can vary depending on the state or country you live in. Some states require a death sentence, some have manditory life sentences and others have different minimum sentences.
Monday, March 12, 2012
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