Sorry I haven't really blogged in a while. School just got really busy, I guess.
But here are 3 random facts, just for fun!
1) According to suicide statistics, Monday is the favored day for self-destruction.
I think we can all relate to that one. Monday's are typically my least favorite day of the week.
2) American car horns beep in the tone of F.
Is that for real? Here's a link to a virtual keyboard. Try it out! I think mine actually works.
3) Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down -- hence the expression "to get fired."
Aren't you glad you don't live in times like that?
Just-something-to-amuse-you yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
153: Student Prepares for Graduate School
If you’re an undergraduate thinking about going to graduate school, listen up.
Hillary Fox, 22, a senior geography major from Charlotte, has been preparing to apply to graduate school since spring 2011.
This months-long journey will finally end for her around Thanksgiving, as she will submit her applications to both the UNC Graduate School of Geography and the UNC Graduate School of Information and Library Science.
As she reflected on the process, Fox had some advice for undergraduates thinking about graduate school and how to make the application process smoother and less stressful.
Before getting to the application process, it’s important to decide if graduate school is right for you, she said.
“And honestly, because of the economy,” she said, “all majors should think about graduate school.”
“And honestly, because of the economy,” she said, “all majors should think about graduate school.”
Fox pointed out that students who come out of graduate school with a Ph.D. or a master’s degree have a comparative advantage over students who have only a bachelor’s degree. This could lead to higher pay and better job opportunities.
Fox said she’s going to graduate school specifically for the research opportunities.
“As an undergraduate,” she said, “there were a lot of research and topics I wasn’t allowed to explore.”
She hopes that graduate school will give her these opportunities.
“As an undergraduate,” she said, “there were a lot of research and topics I wasn’t allowed to explore.”
She hopes that graduate school will give her these opportunities.
When a student does decide to try to go to graduate school, it’s important to think about things early, Fox said.
“Deadlines tend to sneak up on you,” she said.
“Deadlines tend to sneak up on you,” she said.
During a student’s junior year, Fox advised that students get involved with their chosen department.
Professor Nina Martin, Fox's mentor, agreed. “It really makes a difference when we [professors] can put a face to a name."
Fox suggested finding a research project to help with, starting one of your own, becoming a peer advisor or joining the undergraduate committee for your department.
Fox also stressed the importance of “getting closer to people you already know” to set up a network and of maintaining relationships with professors who can help you with research in graduate school.
The summer before a student’s senior year, Fox advised that students study for and take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).
Essentially an SAT for graduate school, Fox stressed the importance of studying and trying to do well on this test. And getting it done before a student’s senior year ensures they have the maximum amount of time to devote to their studies, she said.
The next step is to start asking people for letters of recommendation, Fox said. She suggested that students make a resume of anything that might help someone write them a letter, including achievements and academic records.
The most important thing students can do is be informed, Fox said.
“I have a lot of friends,” she said, “who have no idea who to talk to or where to start.”
“I have a lot of friends,” she said, “who have no idea who to talk to or where to start.”
Being an undergraduate senior can be an awkward time, Fox said. Students are “winding down everything for one part of their life and moving on to another.”
For some people, this means relaxing and having the time of their life. For others, it means stepping up their academics, Fox said.
Even though the path to graduation wasn’t the easiest, Fox said, she feels she has taken full advantage of what UNC has to offer.
When asked what she wished she had done differently, Fox simply said, “Nothing.”
When asked what she wished she had done differently, Fox simply said, “Nothing.”
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
One in Seven Billion
Yesterday, October 31st, was the day the Earth would reach a population of 7 billion, according to the United Nations Population Division.
Supposedly, the Earth has managed to add another billion people to its population in about 12 years time.
Here's a fun website where you can go and find out what number person you are. I'm #5,488,450,024.
It's pretty insane to think that there were about 5.5 billion people before I existed. It's also insane to think about that, again according to the United Nations, by 2025 we will have 8 billion people on the planet.
It makes you think about your place in the world. Hope this gave you something to think about today!
Performing-numerology-on-my-population-number-to-see-if-there's-anything-cool yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
Supposedly, the Earth has managed to add another billion people to its population in about 12 years time.
Here's a fun website where you can go and find out what number person you are. I'm #5,488,450,024.
It's pretty insane to think that there were about 5.5 billion people before I existed. It's also insane to think about that, again according to the United Nations, by 2025 we will have 8 billion people on the planet.
It makes you think about your place in the world. Hope this gave you something to think about today!
Performing-numerology-on-my-population-number-to-see-if-there's-anything-cool yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A White Rapper That's Not Eminem??
Impossible you say? Never fear, my talents for trolling the Internet and stalking celebrities have once again paid off. Bo Burnham is a comedian I've actually know about for a long time. I might have even gone around singing one of his songs for a whole week during high school. Might.
Anyway, the bottom line is that he's hilarious. Here's one of his raps.
My favorite song is his is "New Math." That's the one I went around singing for a week.
Hope this gave you something to smile about on what was maybe not a great day!
Love-this-guy yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
Anyway, the bottom line is that he's hilarious. Here's one of his raps.
My favorite song is his is "New Math." That's the one I went around singing for a week.
Hope this gave you something to smile about on what was maybe not a great day!
Love-this-guy yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
153: Occupy Chapel Hill Going Strong
Occupy Chapel Hill warns the public that "if people don't wake up, we're all going to be in trouble."
Johanan Gaddy, 34, of Chapel Hill, N.C., gave this statement Tuesday morning, referencing the entire point of the Occupy movement. Occupy Chapel Hill is a rally about "starting the conversation" and "educating ourselves so we can educate others," he said.
Occupy Chapel Hill officially began at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night and plans to go on indefinitely Gaddy said. "We're going to stay until we see change," he said. As of Tuesday morning, there were 10 people camping out in the Courthouse Square, the headquarters of Occupy Chapel Hill.
Every day at 6 p.m., Occupy Chapel Hill holds a General Assembly where the group works through its daily agenda. This includes deciding how money is going to be spent, making major group decisions and letting voices he heard. "Everyone's voice is equal," Peter Pendergrass, 22, another spokesperson for Occupy Chapel Hill, said Tuesday.
Gaddy stressed that although the members of the Occupy movements range from "anarchists to Tea Party members," the movement does have some rallying points. One of the most important points, not being emphasized by the media, Pendergrass said, is the fact that Occupy Chapel Hill is an open movement. It is not exclusive, elitist or extremist. "We're not making incredible demands," he said, "We just don't want the system to be abused."
Pendergrass explained that "we are the 99 percent." Approximately 43 percent of the country's wealth is controlled by 1 percent of the population. That percentage of the population now has the ability to affect policy decisions and the government, through monetary donations. This was one of many impetuses for the Occupy movements, including Occupy Chapel Hill.
The movement is starting to move out of cities and deal with issues on a state level. On November 2, there will be a protest against Duke Energy's attempt to raise their rates by about 17 percent. November 5, officially Bank Transfer Day, the Occupy movement will be urging the public to take their money out of corporate banks and put it into non-profit credit unions. For more information, check out occupychapelhill.org or occupywallst.org.
Occupy Chapel Hill has the simple goal to develop the community and make people more aware about the real issues, Gaddy said, "And we're not going to quit if it fails."
Johanan Gaddy, 34, of Chapel Hill, N.C., gave this statement Tuesday morning, referencing the entire point of the Occupy movement. Occupy Chapel Hill is a rally about "starting the conversation" and "educating ourselves so we can educate others," he said.
Occupy Chapel Hill officially began at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night and plans to go on indefinitely Gaddy said. "We're going to stay until we see change," he said. As of Tuesday morning, there were 10 people camping out in the Courthouse Square, the headquarters of Occupy Chapel Hill.
Every day at 6 p.m., Occupy Chapel Hill holds a General Assembly where the group works through its daily agenda. This includes deciding how money is going to be spent, making major group decisions and letting voices he heard. "Everyone's voice is equal," Peter Pendergrass, 22, another spokesperson for Occupy Chapel Hill, said Tuesday.
Gaddy stressed that although the members of the Occupy movements range from "anarchists to Tea Party members," the movement does have some rallying points. One of the most important points, not being emphasized by the media, Pendergrass said, is the fact that Occupy Chapel Hill is an open movement. It is not exclusive, elitist or extremist. "We're not making incredible demands," he said, "We just don't want the system to be abused."
Pendergrass explained that "we are the 99 percent." Approximately 43 percent of the country's wealth is controlled by 1 percent of the population. That percentage of the population now has the ability to affect policy decisions and the government, through monetary donations. This was one of many impetuses for the Occupy movements, including Occupy Chapel Hill.
The movement is starting to move out of cities and deal with issues on a state level. On November 2, there will be a protest against Duke Energy's attempt to raise their rates by about 17 percent. November 5, officially Bank Transfer Day, the Occupy movement will be urging the public to take their money out of corporate banks and put it into non-profit credit unions. For more information, check out occupychapelhill.org or occupywallst.org.
Occupy Chapel Hill has the simple goal to develop the community and make people more aware about the real issues, Gaddy said, "And we're not going to quit if it fails."
Monday, October 17, 2011
Cool Advertising
I guess, since I'm an advertising major, I should share some advertising with you. Here's some good ones I've seen recently.
This is a billboard for McDonalds. It takes the M and turns it into a sundial. Then, at various times in the day, it points to a different McDonalds menu item that goes with that time of day. It's cute, interesting, memorable and quick. It's everything a good ad should be.
This is an ad for soundproof walls. It's a simple, striking visual with no body copy, making it easy on the eyes. A great ad done by Ogilvy and Mather, one of my favorite agencies.
I am in love with this campaign. There are lots of different ads like this, with the animals represented through hands. It's done for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). I think it's truly stunning.
It's nice to know there's good advertising out there, besides the thousands of used car commercials that make my eyes want to bleed.
Feeling-good-about-my-major yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
This is an ad for soundproof walls. It's a simple, striking visual with no body copy, making it easy on the eyes. A great ad done by Ogilvy and Mather, one of my favorite agencies.
It's nice to know there's good advertising out there, besides the thousands of used car commercials that make my eyes want to bleed.
Feeling-good-about-my-major yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Halloween Movies that Aren't Scary?
I hate scary movies.
More importantly, I won't watch them. Oh, I'll wikipedia the plotline so I get all the jokes and references, but I would rather write a 10-page paper than be forced to watch a good scary movie.
You would think Halloween would be my least favorite time of the year. And you would be wrong. (My least favorite time of the year is mid-January when it's cold for no reason.)
So why do I still like Halloween? One, you get to dress up. Who doesn't love that? (I think I might be a Bop It this year. Last year I was a Magic Eight ball.) Two, when you're little, Halloween means lots of candy. When you're an adult, it means getting really drunk (but only if you're over 21!). Three, there are still some good Halloween movies that aren't really scary. Here's 2 of my favorites.
1) Halloweentown
Okay, laugh all you want at my love of Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs), but I love this movie. It's so cute and whimsical! And it puts you in the Halloween spirit without scaring the crap out of you.
Basically, the movie is about a girl who, on Halloween, discovers that she's a witch and has magical powers. Naturally, her mother has denied these powers and decided to live in the mortal realm. However, her awesome grandmother is a full-fledged witch who actually doesn't even live in the mortal realm. She's from a world called Halloweentown where it's always Halloween and there's monsters everywhere.
The movie is super cute and I love watching it. Lucky for people like me, Disney made a series of movies about Halloweentown. The second one, Kalibar's Revenge is pretty good too. But after that the magic sort of fades away. But the first two are definitely worth seeing and great Halloween movies.
2) Hocus Pocus
Oh, this movie. CLASSIC. It's just perfect. Bette Midler singing, witches rising from the dead and 1990 clothes and slang? What more could you ask for?
The movie is set in 1993 in Salem, Massachusetts. 300 years ago, three sisters (the ones on the cover) were hanged for being witches. But before they died, they put a spell on themselves that, under the right conditions, they could return from the dead to continue their work.
Of course, these conditions are met in 1993 by a teenager, his love interest and his little sister. Then the movie just sort of continues from there.
Another classic Halloween movie, it just puts you in the Halloween mood without being so scary. Another favorite of mine and definitely worth the watch.
I really do love Halloween and the whole season around it. And these movies are perfect for getting you in that Halloween spirit. But I still hate scary movies.
Counting-down-the-days yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
More importantly, I won't watch them. Oh, I'll wikipedia the plotline so I get all the jokes and references, but I would rather write a 10-page paper than be forced to watch a good scary movie.
You would think Halloween would be my least favorite time of the year. And you would be wrong. (My least favorite time of the year is mid-January when it's cold for no reason.)
So why do I still like Halloween? One, you get to dress up. Who doesn't love that? (I think I might be a Bop It this year. Last year I was a Magic Eight ball.) Two, when you're little, Halloween means lots of candy. When you're an adult, it means getting really drunk (but only if you're over 21!). Three, there are still some good Halloween movies that aren't really scary. Here's 2 of my favorites.
1) Halloweentown
Basically, the movie is about a girl who, on Halloween, discovers that she's a witch and has magical powers. Naturally, her mother has denied these powers and decided to live in the mortal realm. However, her awesome grandmother is a full-fledged witch who actually doesn't even live in the mortal realm. She's from a world called Halloweentown where it's always Halloween and there's monsters everywhere.
The movie is super cute and I love watching it. Lucky for people like me, Disney made a series of movies about Halloweentown. The second one, Kalibar's Revenge is pretty good too. But after that the magic sort of fades away. But the first two are definitely worth seeing and great Halloween movies.
2) Hocus Pocus
The movie is set in 1993 in Salem, Massachusetts. 300 years ago, three sisters (the ones on the cover) were hanged for being witches. But before they died, they put a spell on themselves that, under the right conditions, they could return from the dead to continue their work.
Of course, these conditions are met in 1993 by a teenager, his love interest and his little sister. Then the movie just sort of continues from there.
Another classic Halloween movie, it just puts you in the Halloween mood without being so scary. Another favorite of mine and definitely worth the watch.
I really do love Halloween and the whole season around it. And these movies are perfect for getting you in that Halloween spirit. But I still hate scary movies.
Counting-down-the-days yours,
The Renaissance Girl.
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