Dear Mr. President

"An Open Letter to President Obama: For Our Children"

By: Eva M. Clayton

Source: The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eva-m-clayton/an-open-letter-to-president-obama-for-our-children_b_6535442.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

            Former Congresswoman, Eva M. Clayton, writes an open letter to Obama, praising him on his State of the Union address. She states that his committed leadership and tenacious pursuit to ensure that all Americans have entry to the American dream should be honored. She writes that Obama's policies and administrative actions has changed the country's economy for the better, but that there is still more work to do. She wishes for every citizen to have an opportunity to work and receive a decent living wage to provide for their family. Although Clayton is happy with what Obama's changed for the better, she still has one plea. Clayton pleas for Obama not to forget the children.  She was surprised when Obama did not mention opportunities for the White House and Congress to work together on child nutrition issues and The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act as national priorities for this economic year, especially since Mrs. Obama has been a zealous and sympathetic advocate in improving the health of the nation's children. Clayton mentions that in order to increase the nation's middle class there has to be more work done to ensure that every child has access to high education, and that begins with proper nutritional options for every child. She finds this letter as an opportunity to review, improve, and strengthen programs that positively impact lives. She also finds this as an excellent opportunity for the White House and Congress to successfully work together in a cooperative manner, and support programs that accommodate American families in raising healthy, well-nourished children since they are crucial to the continued economic strength and success of the country. Clayton is deeply committed to advocating for resources to end world hunger, especially among children. After she retired from  Congress, she accepted the position of Assistant Director- General of the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. She encourages countries around the world to organize and work together to end hunger and poverty. 

If you smile through your pain and sorrow // Smile and maybe tomorrow // You'll see the sun come shining through // For you.

"He smiled understandingly – much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced – or seemed to face – the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey," (Fitzgerald, 48).

            This quote appears in Chapter 3, when Nick finally encounters Gatsby. In the beginning of the book, Nick informs the audience that Gatsby turns out okay at the end. He gives a brief explanation of how he finds Gatsby to be extremely unique and irreplaceable. He states that he looks up to Gatsby and declares that Gatsby is above everyone else and that people certainly cannot be him. Nick loves the way Gatsby takes risks and admires the way he chases after what he wants. This quote describes Nick's first close study of Gatsby's character and appearance. Nick thoroughly illustrates Gatsby's smile. This description of Gatsby's smile captures Gatsby's ostentatious, histrionic, magnetic, and appealing character; moreover, summing up the world's perception of Gatsby. Gatsby's smile seems to symbolize an image of hope, love, comfort, assurance, and imagination. Nick expounds that Gatsby's smile has the ability to make an individual forget their troubles, even if it is for a short millisecond. He depicts Gatsby's smile as one that can reflect a person's most optimistic perception of him/herself. Gatsby's extremely beautiful smile has the potential to make anyone he smiles at feel as though he has chosen them out of "the whole eternal world."

            This quote is important as it introduces Gatsby to the audience. Nick builds a desirable connection between the reader and Gatsby. Describing Gatsby's smile profoundly, Nick has the audience receive an innocent, comforting, powerful, and amiable vibe from Gatsby. The smile gives off a sense of all is good in the world even in the time of corruption, misunderstanding, and confusion. There has to be a reason behind that extremely appealing smile.

Keep Calm And Let's Go Back To The 80's

         These past few days, I have been watching 80's movies such as "Pretty in Pink," "Sixteen Candles," "Dirty Dancing," "Can't Buy Me Love," "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "The Outsiders," "Risky Business," "Big," "Footloose," "Say Anything," "Mannequin," and "The Breakfast Club." You could say that I had a pretty relaxing, long weekend. As I was watching these movies I thought about what life would have been like for me in the 80's -- the fashion, the boys, the parties, and simply the life. I wish my life were an 80's movie. All these movies had one thing in common, which is they all shared this idea of fun and simply living the life and taking chances and believing in what is right or wrong and standing up for it. If I were to throw any party, it would be an 80's party. The party would take place at a lakehouse, because I feel as if that is a suitable environment for the party. The day of, this house would be transformed into this extremely colorful and preppy style kind of home, with pastels, dainty florals, and chintz. The music would consist of artists of that era, such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Duran Duran, Prince, Madonna, and of course other top hits. The music will also consist of the decade arrivals, such bands as Mötley Crüe, Hanoi Rocks, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Poison, Europe, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, and virtuoso guitarists such as Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen. The food will consist of a plentiful amount of pizza rolls, pasta salads, sushi, sloppy joes, a variety of dips, and other 80's favorites. Desert will include jello pudding pops, 80's cookies and cupcakes, and a large cake that is filled with a variety of flavors. There will be side snacks and candies such as fun dip, big league chew, nerds, reese's pieces, pop rocks, and cheese balls. The drinks will be taken care of by a large bar.  The party is open to anyone and everyone, because I wish for people to live outside of their comfort zone on the day of this party. I simply want people to just have fun and enjoy themselves and live life as if it were going to be the last day of their lives. I wish for them to feel free, as if nothing can get in their way and restrict them from letting themselves lose control. I wish for them to let loose and converse and dance with people who share similar problems. I wish for them to forget the world and its corruptive problems for one day and throw caution into the wind and just take risks, because it holds the possibility that something incredible can happen.

Location: http://www.vrbo.com/127917#photos

Mickey and Measles

"6 More California Measles Cases Tied To Disney Outbreak"

By: Christopher Weber

Source: The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/15/more-measles-cases-disney_n_6481092.html?utm_hp_ref=health-news&ir=Health+News

            On Thursday, California health officials confirmed thirteen new cases of  measles linked to the outbreak at Disneyland last month, bringing the total number of illnesses to thirty-nine. These new cases include five in LA County and one in San Diego County. The San Diego County cases included approximately five people who ended up with fevers and rashes at the Sharp-Rees-Steely Urgent Care Clinic. The clinic was shut down for several hours and many patients were questioned about their current and historical medical issues. Craig Sturak with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced that the public may have been exposed at the clinic and other places such as drugstores, grocery stores, and gyms. Officials stated that thirty-five of the confirmed cases were in California, two in Utah, one in Colorado, and another in Washington. Majority were not vaccinated against this disease. Most of these patients visited Disneyland or Disneyland California adventure between December 15 to December 20, but some caught the illness from other by passers. The Disney officials are now working with public health authorities to provide any necessary assistance. Measles is an infectious viral disease that lives in an infected person's nose and throat, and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a red rash that usually first materializes on the face and diffuses to the rest of the body.

            This article is important as it declares the best prevention against measles -- vaccination. The illness is brought into the U.S. by foreign visitors and unvaccinated Americans, so it is best for people to prevent measles by vaccination.

Just a 20's girl // It's a Gatsby World

1920's  Fashions and Lifestyles

            The cloche hat and the flapper dress were the most admirable in the 1920s. The cloche hat was a comfortable and fit hat, that was often worn tilted. It covered the forehead, but still allowed room for vision. Usually, hair was cut short and styled in a way to fit under the cloche hat. These hats often also covered the ears. The cloche hat and the flapper dress were often worn together, especially in the second half of the decade. The flapper style exemplified and illustrated the entire lifestyle of the decade. Throughout the decade, the length of the straight and loose style dress  varied a little. The length of the dresses and skirts in the early 1920s were about calf length, with some being a little longer and others, shorter. In the late 1920s, the length of the dresses were shortened to approximately knee length, and this is what most people remember when the talk of the flapper dress comes up. Although, the clothing styles consisted mainly of just the cloche hat and the flapper dress, casual clothing was also introduced to the public. Women began to wear pants with ankle strap button shoes, the t-bar shoes, and shoes trimmed with sequins or other materials.

            The men of the era were into casual clothing as well. They began to abandon formal wear such as full suits with long suit jackets and rather began wearing shorter suit jackets. Men also began to wear cuffed trousers, flannels also became increasingly popular, and so did shoes for casual wear. The casual shoes worn by men were made with bordered fabrics and/or winged tips. The black leather shoes were still worn for more formal occasions. Furthermore, both men and boys often wore knickers along with sweaters or casual shirts. For younger boys, the shoes were usually made of canvas.

           In the 1920s, the baby clothing became more rational. Babies were given more comfortable outfits such as rompers and short dresses, which replaced the formal, frilly laced baby attire. Older girls were usually seen wearing cotton frocks, cardigan sweaters, and canvas shoes or sandals.

   

Source:  http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/20sclothes.html

When the world says: "Give up," Hope whispers: "Try it one more time."

"New science helps a paralyzed man move his legs for the first time in years"

By: Elizabeth Cohen and John Bonifield

Source: CNN News

http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/06/health/feat-paralysis-tech-help/index.html

       Every morning for two and a half years, Calvin Goza attempted to move his legs, desperately awaiting the day for a small change. An accident with a drunken driver was the cause of Goza's paralysis. "No amount of wishful thinking could help him move his legs again" (Cohen and Bonieifield, 1). On December 25, Goza got another chance. At the University of Louisville, Goza was given the chance to receive a new therapy, which was designed to help him move his legs again. Sensors were attached up and down his leg. The researchers had inserted electrodes in his spine and on his toe was placed a ring and a string. The goal was for Goza to try and pull that string with his toe. For a couple hours, the scientists tried sending jolts of electricity

to the receptors surgically implanted in Goza's spine, but nothing happened. They amped it up, and Goza's toe moved the string, but what is more amazing is that he also bent his knee. ""It was pretty awesome," Goza said. "I questioned it at first: Maybe it didn't actually happen, and I was just hoping it did"" (Cohen and Bonieifield, 1). Doctors are optimistic, and they hope that Goza will have the chance to walk again. Other paralyzed men have also encountered benefits from the therapy that may be even more significant than walking.

       This article is important as it shows today's technological and scientific advances. It reveals that science can make the impossible possible. But most importantly this article inserts faith in people. Faith, that maybe one day all of the pain in the world will be gone.