Topic of Research

I have decided to research the topic " what reasons contribute to our country's high obesity rate and some possible solutions to this problem." I want to research various factors such as fast food, lack of exercise programs in our schools, technology, urban\suburban areas, careers, changes in the seasons,geographic areas,and different cultures with in our society. I also would like to find some solutions to help people to find a way to become more active, groups they can join to help with being overweight, and different guides on learning how to eat right. I take interest because I have struggled with being overweight all my adult life. I was very active when I was in school, up until I was about 23 years old, I started to gain weight. Out of convenience (and laziness), I fell into the fast food routine. Once I stopped, it has been so hard to get the weight off. I have joined a gym, I try to eat well ( much better compared to what I used to eat), and I try to watch my caloric intake. It seems that when summertime arrives, I am more motivated to part take in outdoor activities. In the winter time, I loose my motivation. My career at the time was a huge reason for me gaining 40 pounds. I was working 50 hours a week, on the computer a lot, and not enough time to work out. With in a year, I have lost 40 pounds, yet I have a long way to go. I am still considered 40 pounds overweight for my height and body type. I noticed when I quit my job and started working part time, I was able to get to the gym more often. I know so many people in today's society are going through what I went through. Maybe finding the problems of why our society struggles with obesity, I can offer solutions.

Response to Programming is the new literacy

This article was very interesting to me. I feel the article states a great point, not only children, but adults including Gen X, Y, and baby boomers will have to continue to keep up with technology, or get left behind. I also agree that programming language is more than just letters and numbers in certain codes. I do, however, foresee my daughter, who is 3 years old, learning and comprehending computer knowledge ( and the rest of her class too) at a faster rate than I did as a child. She goes to Kids First Academy in Highland In., which is more of a developmental school rather than a day care. They focus on teaching toddlers and young children the fundamentals of technology and pre K subjects ( which I think is such a great idea considering how fast children learn). Her teachers have also introduced Spanish in their classroom curriculum. Last week, my daughter said something in Spanish and I had no idea what she was saying! It makes me very proud, needless to say, it also inspired me to take a Spanish course next semester. I do believe that knowing another major language besides English is going to be so important for our future generations.
I do not agree that the only way a person can be literate is to have knowledge of computer programming. I think one can keep up with the latest multimedia tools and techniques and not have to know how to re- program their computer or other computer based tools. I believe that when they make computer programming more simplified perhaps more people will want to take courses about it. I do not agree with the part of the article that says in the future businesses will just hire young, computer savvy individuals. That is a form of discrimination. If the case that technology is becoming more advanced for their employees, I think it is up to the business to form specialized workshops to and teach the employees the necessary tools to perform their jobs. The article makes the older generation sound so "out with the old, in with the new...". I think that at any age, people can learn. I believe their also needs to be a balance between educational curriculm such as reading,writing, and technology. The future generation can't just rely on re-programing knowledge and not have correct grammer or language. Bottom line, I think that you can still teach an old dog new tricks.

Response to Gen Y is Taking Over the Web

I just read this article and have to say I agree that Generation Y work ethics and habits will be much different from those of Generation X, or Baby boomers, especially when working with web related jobs. I recently was a manager over 7 people for a make up counter. They all fit the age group for the Generation Y except for myself. I feel that I am more of the Generation X ( I am 32 years old). I am computer savvy, however, I prefer to read a book ( not on the computer) or spend my time doing outdoor activities ( running, walking, and camping). I like to give 110% in my work, and take much pride in my professional career. I noticed that the younger group that belongs to the Generation Y have different things that are important to them. For instance, my assistant manager, who was 22 years old, was always planning her social activities for her days off. On her lunch brakes, rather than call a person to say "hi", she would text that person the whole time. I,myself, would rather call someone and leave a voice message, or talk to them in person. She also did not take her job too seriously, she was there for the pay check, that's it. I tried to motivate her to take pride in her career, yet she viewed it as just a job. When I read this article, it fit her profile exactly. Generation Y, I have noticed, are usually technologically savvy. With that, will come accommodations for their needs. Web movies, T.V. shows, and other media related to the web will be easily accessible. I do check my e-mail, face book, and surf the net, yet I would rather watch a movie or T.V. show on the television. I remember most of my employees having advanced computer skills. For example, I asked one of my team members to help set up a my space page to help generate business for our counter. He finished it with in days and it looked like a professional graphic designer did it! I know if I tried to do what he did, it would have taken me weeks. I was truly impressed of his work. Also, I found rewarding my employees with an unpaid day off to be very effective when I had certain contests for the highest seller. Instead of extra gratis, or a free lunch, they would rather spend time away from work, usually with their friends.
Needless to say, we all have to accommodate one another in the future. The younger generation will have to realize older generations have needs too. I'm sure we all want a easy, accessible way to find information on the Internet, regardless if you are part of Generation X,Y, or a baby boomer.

Yeah!! I am a blogger...

I am happy that I have successfully created a blogger account!