Carrie Prejean

I am not one to watch any type of beauty pageant, but I could not fight my interest in this story. As I was driving to work and listening to the radio this morning the discussion was about Ms. Carrie Prejean and her answer to a very controversial question at last nights Miss USA pageant. What I learned in my short car ride to work was that Ms. Prejean also known as Miss California was the runner up of this pageant and was asked by judge #8 Perez Hilton a controversial question in regards to gay marriage. The question was as follows:

"Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit, why or why not?"

I love the honesty and brazenness in her response; although I do believe she could have been more articulate in her answer she still nonetheless gave her opinion, which is exactly what Mr. Hilton asked for. Her response was this:

"I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”

Ms. Prejean did not win the pageant and there is talk that her loss was due to her response to this very question. I do not believe her response was offensive or made to alienate anyone but that's just my opinion. I do however also feel her loss was not due to her response, but perhaps to her nervousness about responding to the subject matter. She states that "we live in a land in which we can choose same-sex marriage...” if that were true Mr. Perez would not be asking her if all states should legalize this type of marriage. What bothers me the most about this whole incident is the attention that has been taken away from Miss North Carolina who was crowned Miss USA Sunday night, and how upset, abrasive, and rude Mr. Perez has been towards Ms. Prejean once the pageant concluded to the point of using profanity to describe her. I feel Mr. Perez was opposed to her response and because of it choose to attack her. Mr. Perez states that her response was not the correct response a possible Miss USA should give, he states, "I do expect Miss USA to be politically correct". Does being politically correct mean you have to lose who you are? Isn't Miss USA supposed to be a woman who sets an example for other young women? If so what are we teaching young woman by being politically correct, that it is okay to put your beliefs on the backburner to win a title?

Are we politically correct? What are your thoughts on this topic?

Leadership

Leadership is a topic that is constantly discussed. It is discussed in grade school, high school and all throughout our collegiate careers. It is even discussed in non-academic environments such as non-profit organizations, religious organizations, and in the work place. Wherever we go a leader or leaders surround us, and at some point in our lives we have all been or will be leaders. Whether it be in an emergency situation by simply telling someone to "call 911" is taking ownership for the situations and stepping up to the plate. Leadership is everywhere! Some leadership positions have more weight to them then others do, for example the President of the United States has more on his shoulders than say the Mayor of a city or town. My question is; is everyone really meant to be a leader? If a child fails second grade is it the teachers fault he/she failed? If those you lead fail, does that make you less of a leader? These questions have bothered me for months now. Leaders fail not because the follower fails but because of the leaders failure to realize the responsibility that comes along with the title of "leader". For a while I believed it was the leaders fault for the failer of his/her followers, but is the leader responsible for the actions of the followers? I came to the conclusion that you can't control what people do! People have a choice and will make choices whether good or bad, right or wrong, but when choices are made our leaders/mentors are supposed to guide us in the right direction. You see being a leader it is not just about you, or the position or status you may hold. True leadership is about everyone else around you, the example you set, by the way you live your life, and by the way you react to things. I am no expert, but I know that no one is perfect and leadership is hard, and is always always up for the judgment of others! I can not find or know a perfect leader, but I have found people willing to change for the better and make a difference no matter how small or large, and that is the kind of leader I want and the leader I strive to be.

Are you a leader, and if so what is the force that drives you to be a leader?

Relay for Life 2009

Another year has gone by, and I once again have Monday's off because the Relay for Life 2009 is now over. In November, we will begin planning once again for Relay 2010, and that is only 7 months away. This year my team decided to do something different in comparison to the past few years, we decided to sell Corn on the Cob and what a great success it was!!! I thought of the idea when I visited the Our Lady of the Lakes Festival in March. I saw how successful selling corn was for them, and I could not help but want to do the same at our Relay. The Relay over all did not collect as much as it has in past years; but, one must take into consideration the state of our economy, and even in these tough times this event collected over $47,000.00. Our Committee Chair did a great job for her first year as Chair, and I am excited to see what will happen in her second year. Hopefully next year we will have even more volunteers and even more people motivated to help fight this terrible disease.

Below is a picture of our Relay For Life Committee 2009 after the Relay was over.

Selling of Corn on the Cob

www.relayforlife.org/hialeahfl
http://www.cancer.org/

Twilight

In December of 2008, I began mentoring a 13 year old young lady who has taught me several things in a short period of time. In an effort to do something together I suggested that we read a book of her choice; now I am not one to read novels or fiction stories of any sort, unless it is some form of classic literature book. I was not sure what to expect while she contemplated which book we should read. For the most part I enjoy reading any type of religious, self help, psychology, or biographical book, so when my mentee suggested reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer I was not too enthused with the idea. I had seen the movie prior to reading the book, because my little sister-in-law was absolutely obsessed with the whole twilight saga. To some degree I wanted to know what the fuss was all about, but I also wanted to know what was her obsession with Edward Cullen (character in the book), she literally went to see the movie at least 9 times before she got the bootleg copy to watch at home. I was not blown away with the movie, but thought it made an interesting love story. I have recently finished the first book of the series, and read the entire 544 pages of the book in less than a week. I feel the movie is not nearly as detailed and leaves out a great deal of substance in comparison to the book. I have now opened my horizons to reading novels and fictitious stories which was something I failed to do in the past. I am excited to start the second book New Moon, since I will not be cheated out of using my imagination because I saw the movie prior to reading the book. If new characters are introduced I will now be able to imagine on my own what the could possibly look like in my mind. If you have not read or seen the movie jump on the band wagon and see what you are missing.

Oh, and Mute Math is on the Twilight Sountrack.

Easter Sunday

This past Sunday, the Easter Bunny came to Relevant Church. It is the first time ever that Mr. Bunny visits our church, and the kids really seemed to enjoy having him around. The parents also seemed to love having a family picture taken with him, and I must admit I was a little skeptical about having Mr. Bunny around. I thought to myself if I was a kid I think I would be a little terrified of a giant size bunny coming at me, but to my surprise none of the kids cried. Below are a few pictures of our Easter Sunday, Vanessa Alves did a great job taking pictures!

http://www.alvesphotos.com/