PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE DURING THIS SUMMER HEAT!

Summer isn't here yet and it's 98 degrees outside! As crazy as this weather is I know it's here to stay at least for a couple of months! So if you can't beat it then have fun. However, there are precautions to take in crazy HOT weather such as this. Here are a few tips!:

• Drink plenty of fluids such as water and fruit juices to prevent dehydration -- be aware that alcohol can impair the body's sweat mechanism, as can fairly common medications such as antihistamines and diuretics
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes
• Protect yourself from direct sunlight by staying in the shade or by wearing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
• NEVER leave pets or young children in a car, even with the windows cracked
• Check on elderly relatives or neighbors at least daily
• Take it easy when outdoors. Athletes and people who work outdoors should, if possible, take short breaks if they feel fatigued. Schedule physical activity during the morning or evening when it is cooler

I know we all LOVE to hit the pools, beaches,and lakes. I know I do and I love to tan.BUT DON'T OVERDUE IT! I use tanning oil that has SPF. MY FAVORITE IS BANANA BOAT TANNING OIL WITH SPF 15!

Any products with SPF is great for protecting the skin against the sun's harmful rays in the summer and can also be used all year round. Tanning too much can cause skin cancer,in some cases, wrinkles, spots, etc. So take proper care of your skin so it can look healthy and fresh.

SO BERKELEY STUDENTS! We have 2 WEEKS left before this quarter ends! I,for one,am beyond excited because yours truly has a BIRTHDAY coming up! =D So time to relax and party with friends and family! Since it's beautiful weather, that means everyone will be out and about enjoying it.But with all this, please be careful to not DRINK AND DRIVE.

With 4th of July and different parades coming up, there's going to be A LOT of people drinking more than they should.So please be careful when you're driving,don't drink and drive and be careful with other drunk drivers on the road. ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO BUCKLE UP! POLICE OFFICERS ARE GIVING OUT A LOT OF TICKETS FOR NOT USING SEAT BELTS.SO IT'S BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

ENJOY THE SUMMER AND BE SAFE!

AND SUMMER BEGINS!

SO.........
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that is greatly enjoying this HOT weather that came out of nowhere! I'm very sure that by the end of this summer we're all going to be EXTREMELY TAN, I'm talking Jersey Shore style! Anyways, so since my last blog,many things have happend! For instance, MAY 21st CAME AND WENT AND WE'RE ALL ALIVE AND WELL, SO LET THIS BE A LESSON FOR ALL YOU 2012 "OH MY GOSH THE WORLD IS GOING TO END" PEOPLE! Relax and breathe! You'll be fine=)  

 SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?

So on this edition of "SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?" I would like to talk about an article I read today on AOL.com that really got me very upset.I thought we lived in a country that congratulated its citizens on great heroic deeds. The following piece is from  www.huffingtonpost.com:

                        
"The controversy in the case stems from a May 19, 2009, incident in which Parker and another young man burst into Reliable Discount Pharmacy in Oklahoma City. The men, armed and wearing ski masks, allegedly ordered two female employees working behind the counter to give them money and drugs. Instead, the two women ran to the back of the store.
The men then allegedly pointed their guns at Ersland. The pharmacist drew his own weapon, a small semiautomatic handgun he had in his pocket, and fired at Parker, striking the youth in the head. Surveillance video from inside the store captured Parker’s fall to the ground as Ersland chased his accomplice from the store."
 
Mr. Ersland not only saved his life but the lives of 2 other women! And now he's in prison for defending his life against two criminals who were armed?! I'm a Criminal Justice major and I'll be the first to say THAT OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SOME TIMES DOES NOT ACCOMPLISH WHAT IT IS SET OUT TO DO! It has it's faults and failures such as in this story where an innocent man is behind bars! If you want to support Jerome than log onto Facebook and go onto the page titled "Jerome Ersland Should Not Have Been Found Guilty" and support this man! THIS IS A GREAT INJUSTICE!

BERKELEY ACTIVITIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The following is a flier posted up by Student Development and Campus Life:

 COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE!

BERKELEY SHOUT OUTS!!!!!!!!!!
So shout out time!!!!!!!!!! These shout outs go to a few of my classmates at BC who make my classes beyond funny and enjoyable:
IVANNA MORALES, RUBEN MONTALVO, YARETH CORTES, DAMON BINNS, AND MARIAN ANDELIZ!!

The friends you make at Berkeley College are truly for a lifetime<3

QUOTE OF THE WEEK!!!!



 "What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful."

 

NYC CELEBRATES OSAMA'S DEMISE!!!!!!

So anyone not living under a rock knows that this past Sunday the White House announced that Osama Bin Laden,number one accused terrorist behind 9/11, was dead! The President made the astonishing national televised accouncement Sunday night. Osama was killed by elite forces from the Navy SEAL called Team 6.Team 6 is an elite team made up of existing members of the Navy. The members picked are an elite group within the elite. Basically, the best of the best! They act outside of regular military protocol according to the actions that need to be taken. The members are not allowed to talk about the existence of Team 6.

The President said, "After a fire fight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body,” the president said. “No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties."

Osama was living in a mansion estimated to be worth $1 million. It was reportedly 8 times bigger than the surrounding homes. It had 12-18 foot walls surrounding the home topped with barb wires. The house had two security gates. Neighbors said that they really didn't think anything of this rare built because many people there were very religious and liked their privacy. What should have raised suspicion was the fact that they never put their trash out for collection; rather, they had their trash burnt.Smart move on their part I would say.

Osama was kiiled by a shot to the head. His home was raided by Team 6 and one of his sons, 2 couriers, and a woman were all killed in the process. Team 6 left any evidence of them being there erased. The operation was quick and quiet. Americans have been warned by officials that we should be prepared for a reaction attack by al-Qaeda. Obama said, "Americans understand the costs of war.Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies."

A range of emotions was felt all around the world when hearing of Osama's death. Yet, no other place had a more powerful reaction than New York City. After all the tears and pain that the families of the victims of 9/11 felt and are still feeling, hearing of Osama's death has brought some form of comfort and closure.

It's times like these that our pain is what brings us closer together to form a strong bond with each other. Ten years of heart break will never be forgotten.Yet, neither will we want to forget. Forgetting would involve putting away memories of our loved ones we have lost.We must keep these victims alive in our hearts and not remember them for how they died,but how they lived their lives.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the U.S. According to http://www.nsvrc.org/saam, the goal and sole purpose of SAAM is "to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence". We don't have to be victims or silent victims! I read up on statistics of sexual assault and what I read really made me extremely upset. According to RAINN(Rape,Abuse,Incest National Network),

• 1 out of every 6 American women have been victims of an attempted or completed rape
• 17.7 MILLION American women have been victims of an attempted or completed rape
• About 3 % of American men have experienced an attempted or completed rape
• 15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 12
• 29% of these children are between the ages of 12 and 17
• Girls between the ages of 16 and 19 are more likely to be victims of rape,attempted rape, or sexual assault
• 7% of girls are in grades 5-8
• 93% of the juvenile victims population knew their attacker

THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY IS THAT EVERY 2 MINUTES SOMEONE IN THE U.S. IS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED.

In these crimes, about 60% of rapes and other sexual assaults are never reported. So 15 out of 16 rapists will never serve one day in jail. Fear is the number one cause why victims will never report.They're afraid their attacker will come back and hurt them or someone in their families. Support for victims in these difficult times are extremely important.
If you or anyone you know have been victims of any forms of sexual assault then you can call
                                 1.800.656.HOPE
                             BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD SUFFER IN SILENCE!

BERKELEY COLLEGE NEWARK CAMPUS WILL BE HAVING THE SCREAM THEATER ON CAMPUS! SCREAM Theater is a peer educational, interactive theater program that educates groups and initiates dialogue about issues of interpersonal
violence including sexual assault, dating violence, same-sex violence,
stalking, bullying, and peer harassment. Skits are performed by
undergraduate students from Rutgers University. IT WILL BE ON TUESDAY,APRIL 26,2011 AT 12 PM IN ROOM 300.

So.........

So Berkeley students are in their second week of the spring quarter! We're off to a good start.Make sure to try your best to attend all classes.I know things come up unexpectedly and that's understandable but besides that make an effort and attend the classes because you never know what you're missing. The following flier has different activities for this week so new students are encouarged to attend so that you can meet new people.

 APRIL13,2011:

 (1)Career services "Resume Review" 12:00 pm-1:15pm at the Student Center(lounge)

 (2)Criminal Justice Speaker Series,Mr.Clark Hill,lunch be will served 12:00pm-1:15pm, also at the Student Center

(3)Mental Health Discussion with personal counselor, Amanda Frey,2:00pm, Room TBD

(4)Japan Relief Efforts: Come make "Japanese Culture Crane" (with origami).Each crane will send a monetary donation to Japan,1:00pm-3:00pm at the Student Center

(5)Going to the Career Fair in NYC,last day to sign up,see Jenny Baguidy or Greg Sanders in Career Services by TODAY!

(6) SDLC will be collecting donations for Japan Relief

APRIL 14,2011:

(1)Do you have a birthday in the month of April??Sign up with SDCL!

(2)Hyacinth Aid Foundation: Condom Tour "Spring into Safe Sex" 12:30pm-1:30 pm at the Student Center

(3)FREE CONDOMS AND CANDID CONVERSATION ABOUT SAFE SEX!

(4)SDCL will be collecting donations for Japan Relief!

APRIL 15,2001:

(1)Career Fair: The Radisson Martinique on Broadway 49 West 32nd Street NY,NY

(2)SCDL will be collecting donations for Japan Relief!

WE SEND MESSAGES OF HOPE TO JAPAN!

In Japanese Culture, the crane is an important symbol representing longetivity and good fortunes.When made from Origami they are always flying, representing life.

So I hope everyone can come and join in these activities.

STORY OF THE WEEK THAT TOUCHED MY HEART

I was reading online about the murdered Virginia lacrosse star, Yeardley Love. She was found face down on her bed with her comforter over her, there was blood on the pillow,her eyes were swollen shut, and her face was bruised. It was clear to her roommate, Caity Whiteley, who found her, that something very serious had just happened to her best friend. 

Person going before a grand jury due to enough probable cause? Her former boyfriend, University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely.

Today, Yeardley's family released this heart felt statement:

"We miss Yeardley so very much and will work tirelessly to make her proud of us. It is truly devastating to wake up each day and realize she is no longer here. Her bright, bright future was stolen from us all. Yeardley's contagious smile, kind spirit and gentle touch have left this world, but we know heaven now has an angel like no other. ... We have faith in the justice system and trust that the truth will prevail."

My heart goes out to Yeardley's family and friends who are truly devastated by the loss of an amazing,young,beautiful spirited woman who was just starting out her life.We have to remember that every day is a gift! Stop holding resentment towards others. Don't live your life dwelling on mistakes you have made.Learn from them,put them behind you,and move on. Love those who love you and live every day as if it were your last.Ignore those who intentionally cause you pain, remember that misery loves company. Life is too short to be living in the past and being unforgiving. Smile for the good AND the bad that happens in your life because it makes you who you are!

     “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."

TRAGEDIES LEFT AND RIGHT =(

I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks about all these catastrophes and tragedies occurring. Are they a sign of the world coming to a tragic end some time soon? As much as I would like to be up to date with all the news going on right now in the world, sometimes I just have to turn off my TV because it's too depressing! My heart goes out to all the countries going through some form of war or natural disaster such as Libya and Japan.

It will be a VERY long time before Japan can fully recover, and even then, I don't believe Japan will ever be the same again. The people are now dealing with produce detected to have radiation and contaminated water. Everyone is now buying bottled water because they fear for their families' health. According to http://www.cnn.com/, the government of Fukushima Prefecture have told its residents to not eat leafy vegetables. Fukushima is one of Japan's top producers of fruits, vegetables, and rice. So it's a big blow for the farmers there to not be able to sell their crops to other cities.However, other cities are just being careful with food that is being imported from that section of Japan because of the possible radiation that can be carried in the produce.My heart really just goes out for all the victims who are going through this situation. No matter what your personal religions are this is a time for all of us to pray for Japan.

Now for something more local, the 9 year old Christina-Taylor Greene who was one of the victims of the fatal Tucson,Arizone shooting, is being honored with a 9 feet and 11 inches tall steel angel. What's special about this steel angel? The steel used to make the angel is actual steel from the World Trade Center! "We just wanted to do something to kind of help them heal, let them know that we're going to try to support them through their grief," said Hennessey-Owen. Hennessey-Owen is the person who has personally created the angel sculptures for the three 9/11 crash sites. The angel sculpture being made for Christina will be placed at the James D. Kriegh Park in Oro Valley, Arizona, where little Christina played Little League baseball. I commend her family for being so strong through this whole ordeal.

BERKELEY COLLEGE NEWS!
SO EVERYONE KNOWS THIS IS OUR LAST WEEK FOR THIS QUARTER! YES, IM EXCITED TOO BECAUSE WE GET OUR 1 WEEK OF VACATION =) HOWEVER, FINAL WEEK EQUALS FINAL EXAMS WHICH EQUALS STRESS! So calm down & breathe! All you have to do is study! That's it. On the day of your exam EAT BREAKFAST so your body will have energy to burn and be alert for your exams. Have something sweet with you like candy so your body can run on some sugar. I stress too and this advice I give you I also use! So GOOD LUCK!

8.9 EARTHQUAKE PLUS TSUNAMI HITS JAPAN!

I feel like lately it's just been one earthquake after another.Japan has been the latest victim to suffer from a record breaking 8.9 earthquake, the biggest to hit Japan in 140 years, followed by a tsunami with waves 30 feet high! The earthquake caused roads to shift, sidewalks to break, buildings to shake, and has shifted Japan 13 FEET CLOSER TO THE U.S.!The earthquake also caused for the earth's axis to be shifted 6.5 inches, shortening the day by 1.6 microseconds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-zfCBCq-8I&feature=player_detailpage

The tsunami that was caused because of this gigantic earthquake caused so much destruction.It took everything in its path, cars,boats, trucks, houses, roads, trees, and unfortunately, people. As of March 16, 2011, there is a total of 10,000 Japanese citizens missing, with the number increasing every day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THU3yPM7sWk&feature=player_detailpage
After watching videos and seeing pictures of when the tsunami hit and the aftermath it left behind, it just breaks my heart. It truly makes me sad just to think of the fear these people must have felt when they saw the big 30 feet waves coming at them. One day their lives were normal, the next they were left with nothing, no possessions, their homes are gone, they have loved ones missing....their lives will never be the same...Japan will never be the same.

If all this wasn't enough, now Japan is facing a possible nuclear catastrophe from the Fukushima facility. President Obama has pledged to help Japan in any way possible. The White House said in a statement," The president briefed Prime Minister Kan on the additional support being provided by the U.S., including specialized military assets with expertise in nuclear response and consequence management". I'm glad that the U.S. is lending a hand in this time of crisis. Obama couldn't have said it any better when he said, " "Even if those allies are themselves economically advanced and powerful, there are moments where they need our help, and we're bound together by a common humanity".

There are so many ways you can help Japan in this time of need. It doesn't have to be anything big because of every little help counts. You can go online to http://www.worldvision.org/ and donate as little as $5 or as much as you want. Also visit http://www.unicefusa.org/ and help a child that has been affected by the disaster in Japan. You can also raise money for the relief efforts taking place right now. Like I said,every little counts especially when it comes from our hearts.When tragedy struck us on 9/11, the world connected together, mourned with us, and embraced us with love. Now it's our turn to return the love and unite for the victims of this horrifying disaster.

 I hope the following pictures just bring compassion to your hearts like it did for mine.

TAKE A STAND AGAINST CYBER BULLYING!

Topic of this week: CYBER BULLYING. We all have heard nasty rumors of another person or have read things on Facebook about someone that weren't necessarily true. Cyber bullying is any form of harrassment  that can take place through e-mails, social networks, digital messages, and texts. Some common forms of cyber bullying include:

• Harrassment: repeatedly sending offensive or rude messages
• Denigration: distributing false information about a person that's derogatory and untrue in e-mails,texts,or on social networks
• Flaming: fighting online that includes vulgar language
• Impersonation: hacking into someone's e-mails or social network accounts for the purpose of distributing emberrassing information about them or others
• Outing and trickery: tricking someone into exposing personal secrets for the purpose of forwarding that information to others
• Cyber stalking: Repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm or are highly intimidating, or engaging in other online activities that make a person afraid for his or her safety

The following are some interesting facts about cyber bullying that I found very interesting and I believe you, the readers, should know:

• Girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying
• Four out of ten middle school students have had their password(s) stolen and changed by a bully who then locked them out of their own account or sent communications posing as them
• About 75% have visited a Web site bashing another student
• Nearly 42% of kids have been bullied online and almost one in four have had it happen more than once
• Cyber bullying has increased in recent years. In a national survey of 10-17 year olds, twice as many children indicated they had been victims and perpetrators

There have been countless of teens who have committed suicide because of cyber bullying.

• Long Island teen, Alexis Pilkington,who was 17 years of age at the time of her death, was pushed over the edge when she was cyber bullied on FormSpringMe.com. The tauntings still persisted even after her death.

•   Missouri teen, Megan Meir, was cyber bullied by her classmate's mother!

• Vermont teen, Ryan Halligan, took his life after a horrible rumor was spread across the internet about him

• Massachusetts teen, Phoebe Prince, 15 years old, was called "Irish slut" and "whore" on various social network. Her books were routinely knocked out of her hands, items were flung at her, her face was scribbled out of photographs on the school walls and threatening text messages were sent to her cell phone.She was pushed too far.

• Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, just 11 years old, hanged himself after enduring daily bullying of being gay. His mother pled with the school to intervene but no action was taken.

 THESE ARE JUST FEW OF THE FACES OF CYBER BULLYING. WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION IF WE SEE THE SIGNS OF CYBER BULLYING. SIGNS WE HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR IN A CHILD ARE THE FOLLOWING:

appears sad, moody, or anxious
avoids school
withdraws from or shows a lack of interest in social activities
appears upset after using the computer or being online
• experiences a drop in grades or decline in academic performance

appears upset after viewing a text message on a cell phone

We can help stop bullying! These children didn't need to die. We have to realize that their is power in our words. Once they're spoken, they can't be taken back. So be careful with what you say about others. Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean you can stoop down to a low level and spread false rumors about them. Help STOP CYBER BULLYING! There are still other children we can help before it's too late!