Final Post!

Sadly as my school term draws to a close (with SCARY FINALS approaching), it's time to say goodbye for now. It has been seriously fun writing blog posts for you all and I have learned SO MUCH from the experience - I hope you have too! Some final wise old words from an older girl:

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1. As many have pointed out before me, the media are really not that bad kids! There are stereotyping and bad role models, but the media are not monsters. The media world is diverse (especially with the Internet) and a lot of what you see depends on what you seek out! Which leads to my next point;

2. Try to seek out different things in the media! Go beyond the popular *teen* shows, check out news sites, watch some informative and fun documentaries, and learn about different countries, governments, and people. Don't let the media take advantage of you - take advantage of the media! I really hope you realize how much power you all have in what you see and what you learn from the media - you are in control, not anyone else!

3. Keep an open mind on what you see, whether it's in the media or in real life. You'll see a lot of things around you and on the Internet and TV: "traditional" values, "alternative" lifestyles, etc., etc. One day you will be able to find yourself, hopefully apart from any labels. Just keep an open mind. It'll protect you and help carry you far.

All the best wishes as you navigate through the rest of your teen years! Hope to see you all on some leading stages (politics, business, media or otherwise) some day soon!!

~Joy

Non-Profits and Developing Countries

So I promised to provide links to more non-profits after my post on She's the First - there is a pretty great list that is mentioned in Half the Sky, a book that focuses on women in the developing world. The list, which includes non-profits that mostly focus on aiding girls and women in developing countries, are selected by the book's authors based largely on their efficiency:
http://www.halftheskymovement.org/pages/volunteer

Check it out in your free time - some of these movements are great opportunities for anyone who is interested in starting to volunteer early, or even just to pay attention to. In addition, since I am using their list, I'm also going to recommend Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn's book Half the Sky. Simply amazing introduction to some women's lives in developing countries/disadvantaged situations. I would personally recommend as a must-read to any of my college-aged friends, but it certainly never hurts to start early!

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Since we are on the subject topic, another book that concerns some children/women/people in the developing world is Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers. This chronicle and Half the Sky make for two of my all-time personal favorite books. Katherine Boo chronicles life in a Mumbai slum in a style that is easy to read. While Half the Sky is extremely informative, Behind the Beautiful Forevers can literally lead you into a world which you may have been unfamiliar to. Don't miss out on these experiences! Try them out and let me know in the comment section how you like these books. Hope you enjoy :)

~Joy

Non-Profit of the Day!

I was just reading about this non-profit today (http://www.shesthefirst.org/). She's the First sponsors girls' education in the developing world, aiming to create first-generation graduates and more future leaders! Thought I'd share the link here and its empowering cause (I have no affiliation with the organization and will try to share a few more links to other non-profits later on). Definitely check this out if you have the time - this and many other organizations help make positive changes happen in the world everyday.

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~Joy

This Woman in the House

A little more than a week ago, my friend circles started buzzing with excitement in seeing the release of Season 2, House of Cards. Any of you readers watch the show? (Apparently President Obama follows and really enjoys the show as well!)

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Admittedly somewhat late to starting the show, I am only three episodes in (for those of you who have watched more than me, no spoilers in the comment section please!!). Yet one emerging star is catching attention in the show - Jacqueline Sharp. Sharp is running for majority whip to replace the old position of Frank Underwoord, main character of the political thriller and recently-promoted Vice President of the United States.

Keeping in mind the show is a thriller and makes political situations much more intense than in real life, Sharp has emerged as one of the most unstoppable and ruthless politicians on the scene. With military experience, she aims to surpass two Congressman who are senior to her. This junior Congresswoman is facing a tough fight, and it remains to be seen whether she will prove herself tougher than the situation (and her enemies). Check out and stay tuned to House of Cards to find out what happens (I'll be hanging in suspense right with you!)

~Joy

Chief of Police: Making History

Today we feature Heather Fong, former chief of police in San Francisco - first woman in the position AND the first Asian-American woman to lead a major metropolitan police force. In addition, she is the second Asian American chief in the history of San Francisco Police Department.

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Heather Fong graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts, working as a police cadet and participating in Air Force ROTC while in college. Sworn in as a Police Officer in 1977 and leaving the Hall of Justice in 2009, Fong had worked through the roles of inspector, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, deputy chief, assistant chief, acting chief, and finally, permanent chief.

During her tenure, Fong was known as "tough" and "reform-minded." She oversaw reforms in the police department as well as drops in violence and efforts to better relationships between police and the San Francisco community.

In August 1977, when Fong became a sworn police offer, the department was still just beginning to hire women and minorities - she faced doubts in her qualifications and commitment, along with other newcomers at the time. Though some felt resentment from veteran cops and soon quit, Fong along with some others eventually made it to distinguished careers in the department. As a pioneer, she has been and continues to be an inspiration to many.

~Joy

New Ice Princess

Have some of you been following the Sochi Winter Olympics? Or maybe you are an athlete yourself? Russia just took its first team gold, much thanks to 15-year-old Julia Lipnitskaia!! The 5-feet-2 figure skater just became the youngest athlete ever to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Check out the below clip to see some of her moves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRrjvrMh9cU

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~Joy

Selfies!!

Check this link out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFkm1Hg4dTI#t=449

Really interesting experiment in my opinion - although I wish they would've included boys and fathers too! Self-image is not just a girl thing :)

~Joy

30 Under 30: Olivia Wilde

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Forbes recently published its third annual 30 Under 30 Lists (which I really recommend you to follow!) featuring 30 young stars under 30 years of age in 15 different industries, including media, sports, tech, law and finance. On the Hollywood list is Olivia Wilde, the gorgeous actress you might know from watching The O.C. or House.

What you might not know: Olivia Wilde is also a successful social entrepreneur. She co-founded Conscious Commerce, which connects brands with international social causes. Through her company, best-selling dresses and bags helped fund schools in India and Haiti. This past year, Conscious Commerce raised $100,000 for New Light, which serves women and children in a red-light district in Kolkata, India. When it comes to social entrepreneurship, there may be many ways to be creative!!

Even with her current success, Wilde's life was not always rosy. According to an article in Daily Mail, the young actress once believed she was going to die after a divorce from an early marriage, and she felt that she was the only one going through such an experience. In retrospect, she recalls it as "a pretty juvenile mind set" and says the divorce provided her with an idea for a movie script.

Check out the 30 Under 30 Lists (http://www.forbes.com/special-report/2014/30-under-30/hollywood-and-entertainment.html) and let me know which successful young star is your favorite this year!

~Joy

My Netflix Recommendation!

It's winter and I don't know about you all, but I'm certainly tempted to be a couch potato and watch Netflix on a few too many days. Thought I'd share some shows you might be interested in to help you endure those snow days I'm sure some of you will get to enjoy (tip: enjoy those while they last because snow days don't happen that often in college). Today's pick is MAKE IT OR BREAK IT!!

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Unfortunately the show is no longer on Netflix Instant Stream, but it is available on Netflix DVD (and hopefully, maybe, it'll come back to stream some day?) Just a little primer on what to expect: this show is on the lives of four teen gymnasts who aspire to make it to the Olympic Games. Throughout the show they struggle with life goals, training, friendship and sometimes boy problems.

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Make It or Break It has three seasons filmed, though I've only watched the first (ashamed to admit here that I rarely finish whole seasons of anything). My favorite character so far is Emily Kmetko, who *spoilers* unfortunately dropped out for season 3. Emily was the outsider. While the other three gymnasts had trained together since childhood, Emily joined as an unwelcome addition - less trained, less elite, with a mother who frequently had no idea what she was doing. Emily is the perpetual underdog - she is not perfect, but she makes the best of herself (again only speaking on season 1 here) and that's what makes her character appealing to me. Check the show out and let me know who your favorite character is!!

~Joy

Perfect Amy

I know it's been a little while since "Pitch Perfect" came out, but it stays one of my favorite musical films because of the characters. In fact there are so many interesting characters I'm not sure who I want to talk about most. But if I had to pick a favorite, it's Fat Amy hands-down. Link below to Fat Amy in "Pitch Perfect": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48HqBv5Ropo

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AND her actress Rebel Wilson is     awesome in real life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snHgfpn4kEg




Seems that humor might just help you kill it sometimes. Comment on who your fav character/actress/actor is from "Pitch Perfect" and I might just write another entry on them! *wink*

~Joy