Explaining Facebook's new profile pages

Another story about Facebook comes up in the news world involving the new profile page layout. As most of you probably already know, some profile pages have changed and there are different reasons for it. There is an emphasis on personal details to let users introduce or re-introduce themselves more quickly. Right up front, the "important" details about the person are displayed. Such as, photos, relationship status, hometown, and workplace. It was changed to give users a different connection to their Facebook friends with the availability to see what both of you have in common. Facebook users had the popular question of "How will this impact the information I choose to share on my page?" But no worries, the change does not impact user's pre-exisiting privacy settings. Whether you have the new Facebook layout or not yet, every user will eventually get it. So, my advice is to get used too it.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/12/06/facebook.profile.update/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Homeland Security teams up with Walmart for safety

Homeland Security and Walmart are coming together to protect Americans even more. Walmart is joining the department of homeland security in a program called "If You See Something, Say Something." This program is meant to encourage Americans to take an active role in ensuring the safety and security of our nation. Participating stores, eventually reaching 588 in 27 states, will play a short video at select checkout locations to remind shoppers to contact the local law enforcement about any suspicious activity. This program will help certain law enforcements find indicators of terrorism, crime, and other threats. The program has already partnered up with the Mall of America and many other organizations across the country. So, look out for these small informative video messages and lets catch these indicators!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/06/washington.dhs.walmart/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Get a flu shot now, CDC says

Federal health officials are still suggesting everyone get vaccinated against the flu. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone older than 6 months of age get the flu vaccine. There was a recent telephone survey conducted that resulted in only one in three Americans have already been vaccinated. Health officials say that is just not enough. Although the disease activity including the flu has been low this season, it is still important for everyone to get the vaccine. It has been reported by Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, that a child has died from the flu already this season. The main message that the Department of Health is trying to get across is the importance of getting the flu shot before it's too late. So go out and get one, it will only benefit you.

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/06/get-a-flu-shot-now-cdc-says/?hpt=T2

Facebook and Your Favorite Cartoon Will Stop Child Abuse

If you're a constant facebook user, you may realize that many of your friends are changing their profile pictures to a favorite cartoon character. There's a good cause behind it... it's claimed to end child abuse. This sea of cartoon characters should be a reminder to everyone that child abuse is wrong and must be stopped. It's a funny and charitable idea. The most popular cartoon characters that friends are choosing are from the good old 'Nickelodeon' days. So, change your picture to your favorite cartoon and be part of a cause to stop child abuse!


To read the article, go to : http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/12/04/facebook-and-your-favorite-cartoon-will-stop-child-abuse/

Bringing Dogs to Heal: Care for Veterans with PTSD

This article really shocked me. Who would have ever thought that a dog could help an army veteran cope with PTSD? (post traumatic stress disorder) There were different stories shared throughout the article by different veterans. The first story interested me the most. Due to an IED blast, staff sergeant Brad Fasnacht had two broken ankles and spine. His helmeted head was rocked around so violently, he experienced a traumatic brain injury which began his post traumatic stress disorder. Fasnacht reports that his new mutt has changed his life. He goes everywhere with him whenever he leaves his apartment. He claims Sapper (his dogs name) to calm him down when he begins to feel anxious. Fasnacht also lost some of his hearing but Sapper warns him when someone is walking behind them. Sapper even wakes Fasnacht from nightmares in the middle of the night by licking his face! It truly amazed me that a dog could help an injured, scarred veteran with a disorder such as PTSD.

To read more, go to :
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2030897,00.html?hpt=C2

Paul Steinmetz blog: WCSU names Teaching Excellence Award winner

After reading this blog entry, I wonder if I’ve ever passed Mr. Dave Smith on the WCSU campus! I’m not a music major nor minor here at West Conn but Mr. Smith seems like a great teacher to get to know. From the reactions and comments people in this article gave about him, he seems like the best kind of mentor there could ever be at this university. Maybe one day before I graduate, I’ll meet this wonderful man and watch his great teachings in music.

WestConn student passes, buy a bracelet in memory and donate

The week of November 8 was a sad and quiet week for the university community at WestConn. Shaun Stebbins, a 21-year-old senior passed away on November 11 from an epileptic seizure. Shaun was very much into his fraternity at WCSU, Sigma Chi and he was known around campus as a friendly, loving, and kind individual. Whether you knew Shaun personally or you didn't, each student here at Western is impacted. This was a tragic event on many different levels but we have been asked by Shaun's fellow Sigma Chi Brothers to remember him positively and buy a pink bracelet. The bracelets are only $3 and donations are being accepted. Proceeds are going towards the Shaun Stebbins Scholarship Fund his family is creating. Go buy a bracelet, your few dollars goes a long way.

First day of December-Rainstorm, not snowstorm

For different reasons, people are excited that the month of December has begun. Wednesday, December 1 was a very cold, wet, foggy day for Danbury. I think some people would have rather seen snow. The amount of rain accumulating to a little more then 3 inches and gusty winds caused trees and power lines to fall leaving residents without power. A number of main roads were closed due to downed wires in the Danbury area. The current problem people are worried about, the day after, is the flooding. Due to the frigid weather early this morning, the flooding may turn to ice. So shout-out to all the morning commuters today, be aware of the possible icy roads and travel safely!

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Rain-winds-close-roads-cut-power-in-Danbury-851360.php

Using Your Phone to Lose Weight

Looking at recent news to write a new blog entry, I came across a weird yet interesting headline. "Using Your Phone to Lose Weight." My first thought was how could that even be possible? But after reading the article, it's really cool how their are different applications (apps) that people can download. There are weight-loss programs available for your smartphone that help you count calories, keep track of pounds lost and makes weight loss easier and a lot more accessible. I have an iPod Touch and I have the LoseIt application that was mentioned in this article and it is a lot of fun and help. Everyone and anyone who is trying to shed a few pounds should definitely look into the number of weight loss applications.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/16/using-your-phone-to-lose-weight/

DON'T believe everything you read in the media

"Cops say Washingtonville High School principal made pass at kid" was the headline of the article my mom called me and told me to read last Tuesday. Because my high school principal was a family relative that is so close to my family and we immediately knew this could not be true. Being away at school in Connecticut, I was obviously unable to have the comfort of my family after reading the article that my uncle (through marriage) and my high school principal was arrested for sexual abuse. The misdemeanors included forcible touching, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated harassment, and communicating through inappropriate text messages. Disgusted and shocked, my family knew this could not be true and it turns out, it isn't. My relative being my high school principal was mentoring a student who had family and drug problems. Trying to only help him out, this student took it to a whole different level and made up every single one of these accusations. The amount of immaturity in this situation astounds me. If I have learned anything from this, it is to never believe everything you read in the town newspaper or listen to what your peers say because the only people who know the whole truth are the people who are involved. 

Guest Speaker, Paul Steinmetz

Blogger, Paul Steinmetz seems like a very accomplished man writing for 30 years and blogging for more than half. When he came into our class, he seemed quiet and not sure what to talk about but I still enjoyed it. It was interesting and I didn’t ask him my questions I wrote down because he answered them in his lecture. I’m not sure if it was my peers in class that were nervous to ask their questions but it seemed like he felt awkward with the numerous silent pauses. I do wish it was a better talk with more questions from the audience but I learned how interesting blogging really is. 

Recent Bullying Issues Around the World

I wanted to write a blog entry on something that I've thought about silently each day recently. As I'm sure most of you know about the recent suicides due to bullying. A few of those cases were teenagers being bullied for their sexual preference. This absolutely disgusts me. It's crazy to me that these certain people were that upset and hurt that they decided to end their own life. The most recent suicide case that I've heard and read a lot about is the gay student from Rutgers University, who committed suicide after his roommate placed a camera in the room unknowingly and recorded the students sexual encounter with another man. Then, leaked it onto the world wide web. Tyler Clementi, the gay student was obviously humiliated and horrified to ever show his face on campus again. Weeks later, the university, community, family and friends of Tyler are still mourning his death. If this isn't a huge wake up call to people around the world especially the bullies, I don't know what is. Bullying is obviously a serious problem all around the world, since this incident is not the only case of bullying leading to suicide. This situation upsets and shocks me. This problem needs to be fixed one way or another.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/10/04/bullying.special.explainer/index.html

Who Am I Anyway?

My name is Carly Prendergast. Original beginning, I know. When we were given this assignment in class, to write 400 words all about myself, I was like “what am I going to write?” Although 400 words is not a lot if you really think about it but it is when you are as “plain” as me. I wouldn’t say my personality is plain but me living my everyday life almost the same is. I am a sophomore here at WestConn and I really, really love it. The idea of me being in college, I personally think, is awesome. I love college. My schedule each week is 4 classes on Tuesday and Thursday. So, I have a lot of free time therefore I am currently looking for a job. I am a hard worker and sometimes with some of my grades in certain classes, it may not seem like it but I am. Math sucks and I have always sucked at it since seriously third grade. My parents really depend on me to make them proud and I hate disappointing them. Last semester, my second semester of my freshman year, I screwed up. For some reason, my hard classes and schedule seemed a lot easier than they were. I learned the hard way and was dealt the consequences of academic probation and disappointed parents who reminded me every day over the summer how important my college career is. Working hard has always been a quality of mine. I don’t like losing or failing. My astrology sign is Aquarius, which would explain why I am as caring as I am. I place all of my loved ones ahead of me and I always have. Every struggle I have ever dealt with, I have gotten through with the help of my family and friends. So, I am always trying to give back to them. My whole family of 25 members including aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents are my favorite people in the world. I’m sure most people would agree that “family comes first.” Mine sure does. Being a 19-year-old woman, I am very sensitive. I literally cry over everything. Seeing people cry, especially my family or friends, instantly makes me cry. I probably sound like a depressed person but I’m really not. I’m actually almost always happy. I have the best and most caring people in my life that get me through each day. I have amazing parents that push me to do everything my heart desires. I have a house over my head when I go home, food on the table, and the chance to have a college career to become more successful in the future. I don’t take a lot for granted because I have recently learned over the past year, how easy your life can be taken away from you within one second. It’s scary to even think about, but that fact has shown me that what and who I have is what and who I need. 

Response to Paul Steinmetz blog: "The Age of Reason"

I really enjoyed reading this blog and found the experiment, "Bridges" very interesting. The main reason I chose to go to WCSU was because of their math and SAT requirements. Math and test-taking have always been a huge difficulty for me so when I saw that WCSU didn't have high expectancies for either of those topics, I knew it was a good school to apply too. My first semester of my freshmen year I had a math class and a writing class that were both non-credited classes. Which stunk because my amount of credits were much lower then all my other freshmen peers. As well as automatically put me behind and farther away from reaching my degree throughout my college career. I am not blaming my high school teachers for me having to take non-credited classes in college but they do play a role in the situation. Preparing high school juniors and seniors for college courses, ahead of time, is probably the best route to success for students. Using the program, "Bridges" easily makes the academic transition from high school courses to college courses a million times smoother. I know that if I was about to graduate high school and moving on to my college career, I would really appreciate this program. But since I am in my sophomore year of college this year, I already missed my chance but that means there are so many other chances for so many other students in the future.