Cell Phones

I have always have mixed feelings about cell phones for many different reasons. I for one know that I get really distracted by my cellphone so I am just as guilty, but I hate it when people can't give you their full attention because they are texting or surfing the web. At the same time however, I know that I would be completely lost without my cellphone. I call my mom like every day which I know I wouldn't be able to do if I didn't have a cellphone. I am still trying to decided if cellphones are just one of those necessary evils.

Media Literacy Class

San Juan School District,

            I would like to bring to your attention the fact that San Juan School District does not provide a media literacy class for their students. I would strongly encourage the school district to implement some sort of class or even a short program that lasts a few weeks. This type of a program will help students become aware of the different types of media they are exposed to every day and how that media can have an effect on them physically, emotionally, as well as socially.

            Teaching our students in all areas is the fundamental goal of education; however, I feel that educating them about the media is one area in which San Juan Schools could put more of their focus on. The media effects individuals in so many ways both positively and negatively that is why it is so important that we teach students about the media. So that they themselves will be able to not only understand the effect that the media is having on them but also allow them to make informed decisions about the type and amount of media they allow themselves to take in.

            The level of self esteem that I have noticed in students not just in high school and middle school but even as young as elementary age students has made me believe that a media literacy class in necessary for the San Juan Schools. At times it can be hard for children and adolescents to distinguish the difference between what they see on television and what reality is really like. The media does an excellent job at sexualizing women especially and creating a body image that kids believe is necessary to have yet in all reality it is almost impossible to achieve. This is not a problem exclusively presented for girls, the media is also emphasizing the perfectly fit and muscular body image that boys think they must have as well. The media aimed at children and adolescents also is often very high in relational aggression content. Because of this children begin to believe that being mean and aggressive with their peers is okay and in some cases is even considered the norm.

            Although the media is not the only reason self-esteem levels can be low in students, it is source of negativity that we can target. Helping students become media literate can influence how they see themselves as well as how they view their peers. As students gain a more positive image of themselves as well as those around them, they will be able to contribute to creating a healthy environment in which they can learn and excel not only socially but academically as well. Once again I strongly encourage you to consider creating a media literacy class for the students of San Juan School District.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration,

Kimber Mitchell 

Sexting

Lately I have been talking to quite a few people that have shared their experiences with me of either friends or family members of theirs that have been involved in sexting. It is amazing how common it is. It was also interesting the different reasons people give for becoming involved in sexting, either feeling pressure from others, their lack of self-esteem, their inability to recognize the consequences of their actions. Sexting is such a harmful thing that can have lasting damaging effects and I am just glad that I am learning as much as I am about it so that I can become better prepared to help others who are involved in it.

Songs of Home

I love country music, and lately I have been listening to a lot of country music and it is reminding me so much of home. Most country songs talk of a slower and simpler life style and that is what I miss. I am graduating this semester and then I am heading back home to the "country life" where life doesn't seem so complicated. I am ready to be home and these songs are only making me anticipate the life style that is awaiting me (at least for a month before I head to Russia for my mission).

My Idea of Russia

So I am leaving to go on my mission to Moscow Russia in a little over a month and I am so excited, but I have decided that I need to stop watching movies about Russia, especially the action and adventure ones. Either that, or find movies that give a better impression of what Russia really is like. So far I have only watched movies that talk about the KGB or the negativity of communism. I now these movies are not a true depiction of what Russia is really like because of course it is Hollywood, but is still makes me a little nervous. Either way finding a movie that shows the positive aspects of Russia is next on my to do list.

Like My Mother Does

One of my favorite songs in the world is the one by Lauren Alaina called "Like My Mother Does." It is one of those songs that I listen to when I am feeling really homesick. It literally describes my mom and I's relationship perfectly. I love my mom so much and appreciate everything that she has done for me.

[Verse 1]
People always say
I have a laugh
Like my mother does
Guess that makes sense
She taught me how to smile
When things get rough

I've got her spirit
She's always got my back
When I look at her
I think, I want to be just like that

[Chorus]
When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself like my mother does

[Verse 2]
I never met a stranger
I can talk to anyone
Like my mother does
I let my temper fly
And she can walk away
When she's had enough

She sees everybody
For who they really are
I'm so thankful for her guidance
She helped me get this far

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
She's a rock
She is grace
She's an angel
She's my heart and soul
She does it all

[Chorus]

I hear people saying
I'm starting to look like my mother does

Books From The Past

This week I went to the public library and was looking through the juvenile section. As I was looking I began to see book after book from my childhood that I used to love and spend hours reading. It made me feel sad that I don't have the time to just lose myself in a good book like I used to. I love to read but reading textbooks just isn't as exciting as reading a good romance novel. I have decided that I need to make time to do what I really love...read.

Social Media And The Gospel

So in mission prep this Sunday we talked about different ways that we can share the gospel with others. One thing that someone mentioned that was really cool was the idea of using social media to share our beliefs. They made the comment that we are so willing to post every little thing that is going on in our lives throughout the week, so why not post about the gospel which should be a part of our lives every day.

Movies With Mom

It was so fun to go home this weekend and spend some time with my mom for Mother's Day! Of course we just had to watch a movie together like we always do. This time we watched a total 80's movie called Double Switched. I am pretty sure that it doesn't get more 80's then that lol. But it was fun just spending time with my mom and watching movies together that the rest of the family generally wouldn't be that into. Moms are the best...especially mine.

Reading Assignment

    Growing up my favorite book was called “The Gingerbread Doll” my mom would read this story to me every Christmas. This book was about a little girl that grew up during the Depression. Each Christmas what she wanted more than anything was a porcelain doll but of course each year her parents never had enough money. Instead her mom would make her a new doll every year. First it started out as a gingerbread doll, the next year it was a corn husk doll, and the next year it was a little rag doll. Although the girl never got the doll she wanted, she grew to love even more the dolls that her mom did give to her. 
    The “Gingerbread Doll” was my favorite book growing up because the mother in the book reminded me a lot of my mom. Although the girl in the book never got what she wanted, she was able to feel the love and understand the sacrifice that her mom was making for her throughout the book. That is exactly how my mom is, she is willing to give so much to make me happy and I know that she is willing to give so much. I think this book helped me understand the relationship that I had with my mother and the kind of relationship that I want to have with my kids in the future.

Disney!

I love Disney movies. I am pretty sure they are the reason that I have survived college...so far. There is just something about watching a Disney movie that reminds me of how simple life was when I was a kid and how it can still be simple if I make the choice not to let unimportant things way me down. I am pretty sure that it is a combination of the innocence and of course the music that makes Disney movies so amazing, without them I am pretty sure I would be lost lol.

Court On and Off The Screen

Interning at DCFS has been quite the experience. The other day my supervisor and I were discussing the policies and regulations that DCFS workers and law enforcement officers have to follow when they are interviewing children that are potentially being abused by their guardians. Those interviewing the children have to be very careful about how they conduct those interviews or information that is shared could be thrown out at court. Later that day, after I had this conversation with my supervisor, I was watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. It was interesting to recognize the different techniques the actors used throughout their interviews while talking to abused children in the show. There were times that the actors used the rules that my supervisor and I had discussed to their advantage. Other times they definitely broke some of the rules that my supervisor and I had discussed but those were simply ignored or brushed under the rug. This just made me realize how much TV manipulates reality to make their shows more appealing to the public.