The Church and Family

The domestic Church has been a big part of my life. My dad was raised Catholic and my mom was raised Protestant. Although, some of their views are different, they instituted that God is the most important person in my life. Through these teachings, I found that family is the basis of church. They teach you how to love, how to understand, how to forgive. Without these elements, you cannot move grow much as a person throughout life. However, domestic Churches are loosing their structure and support as divorce rates are climbing higher and higher. People are not focusing on the structure of family but the fact that they need to put food on the table. I was almost appalled by the survey. Just because you earn a degree does not mean that you know more about how to have a strong relationship with a person. I would think it would be the complete opposite because most people with a degree work longer hours. This would put stress on a marriage. I feel when I am ready to settle down and raise a family I would have a domestic Church. I believe it is important to have a strong family connection and I would also like to pass down the values I have learned from my parents to my children. 

Love has to Start Somewhere...

In a relationship, I seek both self-fulfillment and self-sacrifice. You need to be able to give and take in a relationship. In order for a relationship to work, both partners need to be best friends and sacrifice things for each other. I think when two people are dating, they are looking for self-fulfillment. They need someone who needs them, they need someone they can talk to about anything etc. During the dating period, people find if the other person is right for them. They need to feel comfortable with them about everything. When people finally find the love of their lives, self-sacrifice comes into play, I believe. Marriage is totally different than dating. Two people need to agree on everything from finances to what they are going to have for dinner. People need to sacrifice some of their interests and ideas to help suit the other person. Relationships encourage the growth of ourselves and diminish our selfishness. The thought of marriage for me is scary. Not only because of the high rate of divorces but because it changes a relationship instantly. I believe I need someone in my life that I can always rely on but can't that also be found in a long-term dating relationship rather than marriage. In society, it is frowned upon to have children when you are dating and the couple is urged to get married. For example, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. They were urged to get engaged and married as soon as Angelina said she was pregnant. They finally got engaged last week but it was when they were ready not when society was ready. I believe that that is an important point that people look over. All in all, I believe dating and marriage show an exceptional bond between two people and that they are great model for love in society today.

Is Dating A Good Thing?

I think dating is a good thing. It is a good way to learn about yourself: good or bad. You grow up when you are in a relationship. You learn how to communicate and listen to someone other than your parents or authority. You begin to understand different ways of thinking and different perceptions about everything. Although young dating usually leads to only emotional roller coasters, unnecessary drama, and heartbreak, I believe this helps you in the end. You learn what you need in a person and what you don't need. I know I used to date guys because of their looks. Well, that was not a benefit to the emotional hurt I received during the process. Through all of this however people become stronger as a person and become smarter in what they need. All in all I believe dating is a good thing.

"Love is patient. love is kind.."

Love is an addiction. I believe when people find someone who they truly love or "think" they truly love it gives them an addiction. You cannot get away from the person. You always want to be with them or at least talking to them. We all are love addicts at some points in our lifetime whether it be our first grade crush or two year relationship. The characteristic I think is most important when finding love is commitment. I want someone to be in the relationship as much as I am. I don't want a guy to think I am just there for their convenience. As my mom always says "Have the boy be in more in love with you than you are with him." I love this advice. Let's face it, girls in general are more emotional and fall for guys easier than boys fall for us. I believe never fails. No matter how tough things seem to be, if someone sincerely loves you they will never leave you. When I think of a perfect relationship I would like, I think of my parents. They have been married for almost 23 years and it is like they just met. They never get tired of each other and never let anything get in the way of their love. They are best friends. That is what I believe love is. I believe we have soul mates. It isn't a coincidence that every single person falls in love with someone. Some people are just so perfect for each other it is almost scary. The only song that I believe is a true love song is "you found me" by The Fray. It is how I feel. The people that will love you forever find you at your worst moments and stick by you through it all. This song depicts almost everything I feel about love.

Armani...

In this next advertisement was published by Armani. It is to for their jean collection. As you can see, there are no jeans or any type of clothes on the model ironically. The model is almost naked. It looks like more of a lingerie ad than a clothing ad. This ad just reminds me of how much of sexual advertising is out there to entice people.

Calvin Klein..

In this first provocative photo, Calvin Klein is advertising their Euphoria line of perfume. This picture is portraying that the perfume is so enticing that the man wants sex. This is clearly preposterous. Any woman with common sense knows that perfume is not going to be the only thing that attracts a man. This ad makes the woman look sexy because of the perfume.

Identity

Being part of a softball team has also helped shape my identity. It has showed me how much perseverance I have. It also showed my leadership skills as I have been elected team captain for the past three years. I love cheering people on and picking up my team when they are down about the outcome of the game. My team has been through many upsets such as losing teammates. In the end, we always come out on top. This was shown this past summer as we came in 4th place at regionals! We were able to come together as a team and make an unforgettable comeback to the team that was 2nd on the east coast. Softball has showed me how determined and energetic of a person I am.