A million dollars doesn't equal happiness?

A common misconception that is seen all around us is that only money can lead to happiness. This is commonly seen among young people such as students. They believe that the only way for them to feel success and happiness is through getting a big job right of college. This misconception even goes beyond that. The myth turns more into money being the root of all evil, and not necessarily happiness.

I often hear people say, “If I could only win the lottery, I would have no worries.” Commonly, people who do win don’t know what to do with his or herself. They go from being the “average Joe”, to being a multimillionaire overnight. A change like this is dramatic. Often people can’t adjust to sudden change in lifestyles. I have seen television shows that show the transition of the lifestyles of these winners. Often many of them have trouble with their spouses or even gable away all of the money. Some of them even say that they wished they never even won. What seemed like a miracle to win just may have been they worst thing that ever happened to them.

Self-Mythologizing Post- Blog 7

There are a number of myths about the “fad” diets that have crept up into our society in the past few years. Many people perceive these diets to be a great way to lose weight and to start eating healthier. However, they are really not as healthy as people think and can actually be very harmful to your health. For example, the Atkin’s diet is one of the most popular diets in the U.S. right now. It encourages removing all carbohydrates from your diet in order to lose weight. My parents have both been on the diet and you do lose weight, there is no doubt about that. However, the lack of carbohydrates and other nutrients can actually have a very harmful effect on you. Carbs are the primary energy source in the body, especially for nerve cells. By taking in carbohydrates, you prevent the production of things called ketones which are used as an alternate energy source when you don’t have carbs. Excessive amounts of Ketones can result in high blood acidity which will damage body tissues. Also, the lack of fiber, fruits and vegetables in the diet leads to a greater risk of coronary heart disease and cancer. The real way to lose weight is really by making lifestyle changes and just eating healthier all around. By eliminating important food groups from your body, you are really hurting yourself, even if you are losing weight really fast. This is just one example of the myth that these popular diets our todays are really healthy. While they do lose weight, they aren’t necessarily very healthy for your body, especially long term. I think a lot of the myths about healthy diets can be partially true but you don’t have the whole story. The doctors who put out these diet books and lines of diet food products in the grocery stores are looking to make a profit because our society is becoming increasingly health-conscious today. They will try to feed people information about all of the benefits of these diets, without reminding people that there are some cons to these “miracle diets.”

The Importance of Math

Growing up in a Russian family, the importance of education has always been molded into my head. However, it wasn’t just education in general, but two specific subjects that my family, and culture, seems to think are the most important: reading and math. In school, I was expected to get straight A’s. If I got a B in Spanish or Social Studies, my parents would be disappointed, but it was not the end of the world. However, if I ever got anything less than an A in reading or math, my parents would be extremely upset. I first learned this when my mom tried teaching me how to solve equations in second grade, because she believed that using the “guess and check” method was not appropriate. Of course, being seven years old, equations just did not click for me. Then in 7th grade my mom hired a math tutor for me, not because I was doing poorly in math, but because she wanted me to exceed the classroom’s lessons. Unfortunately, all my mom’s efforts backfired when after having that same tutor for 6 years, until the SAT’s, I despised math. I ended up doing well in math on the SATs and in school, but I hated that subject. However, upon starting high school, after having a year of no math tutor, I did exceptionally well in Calculus. This just proved to me that all my parents’ efforts destroyed my desire to study math. Therefore, I think that their views on education are wrong because emphasizing one specific subject will most likely leave that person with a life long apathy towards it. Luckily, in my case my parents are now more concerned with my science performance, because I am a chemistry major, but I know that they are the most happiest with the knowledge that I have gotten A+’s in math all year.
I think the reason that Russian people emphasize mathematics so much is because math is considered the essence of knowledge and reason. Without education in Russia, it was almost impossible to maintain a normal level of living. Also, excellence in mathematics was correlated with intelligence. Taking that into consideration, and the fact that my entire family is amazing at math, explains why my parents want me to excel so much in this subject.

The Land of Opportunity

One thing that all of American people have heard at one point or another is that our country has been termed the land of opportunity. While this term was keyed long ago, and has possibly since lost it's meaning, it still holds to be a myth of our culture.

I look back on my grandparent's generation, where this myth definitely held true. That generation worked for every single thing they had and I could not be more proud to associate with people like that. But in a more modern sense, the youth of today, specifically, takes for granted everything that golden generation worked for. Big corporations are shipping out jobs to foreign countries for cheaper labor, and our economy has fallen into a recession. This land does not appear to have the pizazz it used to. Our political systems have put the people into a class system, whether it was intended or not.

Besides the point that our country doesn't appear to have all the said opportunity right now, the key term came about rightfully so. From the late 1800's to the early 1900's America was in the middle of the Industrial Revolution, where mass production of goods began and jobs were plentiful. At this time there was money and opportunity to be had because of the new technology, giving the impression that whatever your societal standing, you can make it big; and it was true.

Indian Superstition

In the Indian culture, mostly everything that is done or not done is due to a superstition. For example, walking over someone, even if they are lying on the ground is supposedly one of the worst sins u can commit. It ranks just under the butchering of a cow, murder, and infidelity. A superstition I would like to talk about is playing with money can end in the loss of your money.

Money is considered very valuable, not in a materialistic way, but also in a religious way. Being a polythesistic religion, there is a Goddess of money. It is said, playing or gambling with your money will result in loosing that money, and having a severe blow to your financial stability. I have yet to see it happen, but then again I dont gamble yet, and the only way I play with money is flipping a coin. I don't know if this is true, but my grandparents scold me whenever they may even think I am playing with money. I want to obey my grandparent's wishes, but at the same time, I guess you never learn until it happen you.

The Ever-So-Famous Cathlic School Girl Skirt

Catholic school girls have two very separate myths in our subculture. Two major sects of society, males from the age of 15-30 and secondly the rest of the population, receive two separate images of our culture. To majority of society, Catholic School girls represent wholeness. Raised with a sturdy background in our faith and strictness in our daily routine, catholic school girls have been brought up to fit a mold of excellence. Excelling a sports and academia we as a whole portray a lifestyle which allows anyone to think that females can compete, and dominate, over males in all aspects.
For males aged 15-30 there is a completely separate propagated value- our sex appeal. With oxford shirts, penny loafers, knee highs, and the ever-so-famous catholic school girl skirt, the women of catholic schooling use their confidence taught to them in the classroom to become sexual, sexy, and viable women of society. This image scares other females, while becoming a fantasy to most males. This end up being a great conversational piece when first meeting an individual, ultimately lading to him asking the question—“Well, Do you still have your uniform?”

Italian Tradition

My entire family is Italian and we definately live up to the traditional stereotypes of Italians. Our family is huge, so our get togethers are always packed and eventful. Everyone is loud and animated and always telling stories from the old days when they were growing up. And, of course, there is always ten times the amount of food that we actually need. There's always the pasta: the spaghetti, the rigatoni, the lasagna, the stuffed shells, and the gnocchi. We have multiple antipastos and amazing desserts. There are always mountains of pizzelles, biscottis, and cannolis. My uncle Joe actually buys out the Italian bakery near his house everytime we have any type of family function.

Being Italian, I've always grown up with strong role models in my family members, especially in my mom and my grandmother. The importance of family ties has always been emphasized and as I grow up seeing family and spending time together is more and more important. I think growing up with such a strong and present heritage has helped me figure out who I am, who I want to be, and has helped me be independent when I want and need to be.

Waiting

As a waiter in a large chain restaurant, I observed quite a few self-mythologizing myths that food servers believed in. For one, every waiter felt that he or she was the most busy and important person in the world; if a waiter needed help with something, he would find it difficult to find another waiter willing to help. This was very frustrating, because there were many instances when two or three waiters were needed to run a large table's food out. At the end of the night come clean-up time, they is no one to be found.

Another myth that was constructed by waiters is the false assumption that acting nice means being nice. Every waiter or waitress acts excessively polite in front of his or her tables, but the harsh reality is, most aren't nearly as nice as they seem. There are some very two-faced waiters that I have worked with, most of which are only in it for the money.

The last waiter-constructed myth that I noticed is the idea that the more tip one received, the more that client liked you. Yes, there is a slightly positive correlation between how much they like you and how much you get tipped, but it is very marginal. Most people come into a restaurant with a calculated way of tipping; you'll get tipped 18% most of the time by locals, but once in a while you get 35% from drunk coworkers and no tip at all from Southern people (sorry if I offend anyone, this is just my experience). The waiter's ability to increase his tip is much less

Self-Mythologizing

What am I, who am I? I am Irish, Polish, Dutch. I was born in New York City and moved to Tewksbury, NJ when I was one. But when it all boils down that information means nothing today. American society is mixed of some many different people and cultures. We must now "Self-Mythologizing". I am a thinker, my mind is overloaded with things that I learn all day. I am a smoker, a surfer, a social person, a cooker, a person who looks for a future, and many more things. I feel that from my many different parts of my life and the many different things and places i have done and been too, I consider myself a man to of little now but by the end a man that will know all. I want to go and experience life for what it is. I have many principles that i may change as i go along but my mind is positive and humane. I feel that i will be successful in what i truly am meant to do, meant to do in my mind. I am a free thinker that we think we way through my life. I use many things to help me think, some good and some bad. My life will be thought out the way i want it to be and i will live on my time.

Those dirty hippies <3

The myths and philosophy of the counter-culture generation have made huge ripples in our society’s culture today. The people that were active in this culture were classified as “hippies” and the often they shared a similar philosophy, which was to be free and to spread love. The philosophy was very idealist and lead to a purpose to start a revolution. A large preconception was that all hippies smoked marijuana and took psychedelic drugs. Although many did. It could because they wanted to alter their state of consciousness, which may have allowed them to become free in their minds and soul. This awareness could have led to an overall concern for their surrounding environment and humanity as a whole. As the hippie generation grew older and became the main consumers of goods and services, it led to a “green” revolution. Today our society is more aware of our world and wants to preserve it because in reality it’s all we really have. Our culture is concerned with natural processes even when it comes to the ingredients in which we eat. Although back in the 1960’s and 1970’s there may have not been dramatic changes but the aftershock of this culture definitely has left an impact. To believe in something so revolutionary that many people can relate too, it’s bound to leave an impact in our society’s culture, even if it is just an ideal.

Plush

Americans are very focused on other’s outward appearance. It is believed that one can tell a lot about a person from their possessions. Americans spend millions on expensive cars, high-end clothing, and fancy houses. Furthermore, popular magazines such as Star and OK make readers think that the key to happiness is being rich and famous. It is thought that owning a Louis Vuitton or Gucci purse can make anyone happy.

While Americans are not the only people who aspire for wealth, it is a huge part of American culture in particular. Money is associated with power, so people believe that money can improve their life. It is also common to judge people based on their economic status. For instance, some people assume that someone who is not extremely wealthy is uneducated or lazy.

Contentment is not obtained by purchasing material items. This myth serves only to place affluent celebrities on a pedestal. Moreover, to encourage people to work hard so that they too can live this coveted luxurious lifestyle. Television shows such as My Super Sweet Sixteen, which is aired on MTV, only feed into this erroneous idea. It depicts young teenagers whose wealthy parents can provide for them an array of pricey presents and posh parties. This makes middle class teenagers feel resentful that they do not live a life of privilege. Television shows and magazines are only two among the countless number of things in American culture that make people falsely believe a lavish lifestyle is the key to happiness.

The Lies They Feed Us

My high school in North Jersey had a graduation rate of 99.9%. There were 270 people in my class and only two of them did not continue on to college. Since birth, it has been jammed into my head, and the head of all those around me, that the only way to be sucessful in life is to go to college. We have been preparing for college since preschool. It has always been a given for my sister and I to go to college, there has never been a doubt in anyones mind about that. It is very shocking for someone to not go to college in my town. This is crap. College is really important, getting a degree and shit really helps getting a job, but it is not necessary to be successful. Going to a vo-tech school in high school, being involved with a career because high school is over, there are many ways to prepare yourself to be independant. I was offered a very well paying job with School of Rock Inc. right outside of high school, which looking back on I should have taken because college is slowing down my career. But, because it would be so 'mortifying' for me not to college, I made the decision to come to Drexel. Also because it is an exuse to have no responsibility for another 4 years. This myth has been formulating for decades, and I fear that it will soon grow and grow and those who can not afford or can not get in to the college they want to will give up on having a successful career.

Old Irish Ways

Being proud of my Irish heritage was taught to me form a very young age. To stand up to my fears and never back down from a fight. To resume responsibility for my duties and for my wrong-doings. If I were to back down from something I was told it would bring shame to the family. But this is how I was raised. My whole family is Irish except for my mother. So when my relatives come to visit it is like one big heaping cliche after another. We're load and boisterous, and drink like nobody's business. But when we get angry we hold crazy long ridiculous grudges. This is because we are incredibly stubborn, as is the Irish way. When my Father and my half sister got into an argument they didn't speak for two years. They finally reconciled when my Father grew sick. We know and understand that life is a party and as good Irishmen and women we celebrate it whenever possible. That is why when someone dies we celebrate their journey through life and send them off with a bang. This is what took place after my Father's funeral. We laughed and joked the whole night. Sure there were some tears here and there but they were shed when alone, behind closed doors because being Irish means not showing weakness. We partied into the night and I know if my Father were still alive he would be proud of how we sent him off.  

Boy Athletes vs. Girl Athletes

I was a four year starter for my high school. But in my high school, that did not matter because I was not a boy. Our athletic director at our high school coached football and baseball, and always gave the boys the good equipment, the good uniforms, and the good pratice times. He made the people believe that the boy athletes were so much better then the girl athletes. Well the boys football team lost in the first round of playoffs my senior year. The girls field hockey team won the Catholic League Championship and beat all the other teams that the played. The boys lacrosse team won one game during my senior year. The girls lacrosse team also won the Catholic League Championship, and has been the best team in the league for the last seven years. The last example is the boys baseball team who did not make it to the playoffs, while the girls softball team made it to the championship game and lost by one run.

Self-Mythologizing Post Wk. 6

I don't really consider myself to belong to any type of sub-culture, but what immediately came to mind when I was reading this assignment was the Philly-Hipster-Bike-Vegan-CoolKid group. You can see them everywhere around the city especially in West Philly. But the deal with these kids is that they are like pseudo-neo-hippies: they only ride bikes around and never drive, or take public transportation anywhere. They live on their bikes. They also live on vegan food, they probably don't go to college, and they will let you know all about it. They wear that shit on their sleeves. So, when I was first exposed to this sub-culture, or whatever you want to call it, I figured I would never fit in because I don't ride a fixed gear bicycle, I enjoy riding the subway, and I eat red meat like it's my job. So right away these kids were not really digging me, because I don't advertise myself like all these other dudes do. But I actually started to meet people that were just like me, (public transit-riding, meat-eating students) and it turned out I could actually have a decent conversation without being looked down upon like some ultra-conservative anti-liberal Nazi. So in the end, it turns out that to be a hipster, you don't have to be vegan and you can ride whatever kind of bike you want, just as long as you do ride a bike, asshole! But God knows I definately don't want to be classified as some haggard West Philly hipster. I just want to ride my bike.

Personal Journal "White Teeth" Parallel- Week 5

White Teeth, in compatiron to my own family, there is only one loose connection I can make to my own family. My oldest brother suddenly picked up and left the east coast and went out to California to try and start his life there. He came back to visit and suddenly had a fiance. She was from a prestigious Mexican family in Los Angeles. It was the most random thing I have ever seen happen in my family. My brother is a druggie and somehow got this attractive girl and eventually got her to move back to the east coast with him. She has all of her teeth though. He told me about when he goes to her strict Catholic family, the younger ones in the family are wannabe "Street Thugs" in LA that wear their Raider jerseys and gold chains with their "souped-Up" Honda Civics and the elders in the family are the "high-class" educated old-school latino type. And then there's my brother, an average white guy from Jersey at these family events. Kinda like the older white english gjuy with the Jamacian immigrant.

High School All Stars

A myth that dominated my high school was that athletes – namely football players - were better than any other students that attended Staples High School. As state champions, many of the seniors are offered amazing scholarships to D1 colleges (where, unfortunately, they did not shine as they did in high school, now being surrounded by loads of other high school stars). But, back during school, they walked around in their varsity jackets, skipped class and got terrible GPAs, and in spite of it all, made it to great colleges. There were even a few instances I know of that some of them got pulled over by police after a night of drinker, but were let go due to their ‘honorary status’. On weekends, the parties came to them. My previous ex-boyfriend was one of the captains and did not get his license until May of senior year, as he always had someone there willing to drive him places. In a sense, I feel bad for these boys for they lived in a sort-of fantasy world surrounded by them. I hope that they do not get the same treatment in college. I mean, lets face it, luck’s gotta run out sometime.