Entry #10: Phoenix's Climate

    The weather in Phoenix can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, the endless days of sunshine are amazing for outdoor activities and mean you rarely have to cancel plans because of rain. It's perfect for anyone who loves a predictable, warm climate. But on the flip side, the summers here are no joke. The heat can be overwhelming, sometimes even dangerous if you're not careful. It's like living in an oven from April through September, and you find yourself timing errands to avoid the midday heat.

    I have to admit, though, there's something about the desert heat that's kind of uplift. It pushes you to find new ways to stay cool, like discovering that perfect swimming hole or just holding the siesta lifestyle. And there's a certain satisfaction that comes with surviving a Phoenix summer; it feels like a badge of honor. Plus, the winters are so favorable and nice, it almost makes up for the summer's intensity.

    Yet, even with the intense heat, the weather here has a way of simplifying life. It brings down your closet to the essentials and encourages a simple lifestyle. There's a clarity in the air, a brightness that makes the world seem a bit more vivid. And when those rare storms arrive and break the routine of blue skies, the desert comes alive in a way that's absolutely incredible. The smell of rain on hot asphalt, the thunder echoing off the mountains—it's dramatic and beautiful, and it never fails to remind me why Phoenix weather is special in its own right.

Entry #8: Body Shaming

    Body shaming has become a pervasive issue in today's society, and it's something that deeply affects people of all ages. It's sad to see how the standards of beauty, often continue by media, can lead to an huge pressure to fit into a narrow mold. This constant view over our body can lead to a lack of self-esteem and mental health issues. I've seen friends and family struggle with their self-image, even I have struggled with this problem. It's shocking how the impact those negative comments and societal expectations can have on our well-being.

    The invisibility of social media platforms seems to have increased the problem, giving people the means to voice their negative opinions without considering the consequences. It's sad to see how people normalize body shaming online now days, with people hiding behind screens, not realizing that their words can have a lasting effect on someone's life. I've experienced this toxic culture seep into everyday conversations as well, where casual comments about weight or appearance are made without a second thought. It's a reminder that body shaming isn't just a virtual issue, it happens in our daily interactions.

    What is also concerning is the internalization of these negative perceptions. It's not uncommon for people, including myself, to internalize the criticism and engage in self-body shaming. This internal dialogue can be just as damaging, if not more so, than the comments from other people. It's a cycle that's hard to break, but I believe that awareness and promoting body positivity are key steps in starting a change. By embracing diversity in body types and challenging the harmful stereotypes.

Entry #7: Hashtags

    Hashtags are like labels or tags people use on social media to organize and categorize their content. They start with a "#" symbol, followed by a word or phrase. When you click on a hashtag, it brings up all the posts related to that topic. Hashtags help discover new content, connect with similar people, and join in on trending conversations. The most common places to see hashtags these days are Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (now called X).

    Personally, I don't use hashtags when I post on my social media, but I have used them before. For example, me and my friends created a TikTok account during our senior year of high school, just to have fun. When we were about to post our tiktoks, we added a couple of hashtags to help it go viral, like #fyp, #friends, #funny, #trending, etc. We also added a couple of hashtags in Spanish since our content was mostly in Spanish.

    When I see hashtags in my social media, I see how they relate culturally, politically, professionally, and socially. Hashtags are like a powerful tool that can start movements, spread awareness on important issues, and even influence elections. Also, they help businesses and people grow their brands and connect with their customers. They have created communities and brought people together over shared interests or causes. Even though they are not as trending and usual as back in the day, they are a way for voices to be heard and stories to be shared on a global stage.

Extra Entry: Capitalism Rhetoric

    Moore's use of pathos in "Capitalism: A Love Story" is evident as he presents heart-wrenching stories of families being evicted from their homes and workers facing the harsh realities of job loss. These narratives are designed to stir the audience's emotions, compelling them to question the capitalist system. It's hard to deny his storytelling in bringing attention to the plight of those who are often overlooked in society.

    On the other hand, critics point out that while the documentary does an excellent job of highlighting the failures and excesses of the system, it falls short in providing a balanced examination or acknowledging capitalism's successes. However, research into the widening income gap and the instability of the job market supports Moore's argument that the system is flawed.

    His confrontational approach, often seen as he attempts to speak with corporate executives or government officials, is a double-edged sword. It garners attention and highlights the lack of transparency or accountability among the powerful, but it can also be perceived as theatrical and may alienate some viewers. Despite this, Moore's ability to engage with the audience and provoke discussion is undeniable. By connecting individual stories to broader societal issues, he encourages viewers to think critically about the role of capitalism in their lives and its influence on democracy.

Entry #6: Online Interaction

    Social media, it's like the town square of our digital lives, isn't it? On one hand, it's not just about sharing vacation pics or what we had for lunch; I feel like it's this amazing platform that gives a voice to the voiceless. It's a real game-changer for those who want to make a difference, just like I do. By posting about tough issues like job hunting, I can shine a light on the struggles many face and maybe even introduce some solutions.

    Then there's the bad side where things can get a bit dirty. It's super easy to fall into the comparison trap, where everyone else's life looks perfect, and sometimes that can make me feel a little bit low. Not to mention, the spread of false information, which can make complex issues like the job market even more confusing for people trying to figure it all out.

    The exciting part is how social media can be a key for learning and making connections. It's not just for laughs and likes; it's a start for networking with industry pros, discovering groups in my field, and staying on top of what's new and necessary. If I make the right choices, it can open up a whole world of opportunities that I might have missed otherwise. It's all about using it to my advantage, you know?

Entry #4: Stepping Into the Unknown

    The transition to adulthood is like stepping into a thick fog, where each move forward is uncertain and risky. The pressure to "have it all figured out" takes shape over me, a shadow of societal expectation that haunts my every move. It's not only about finding a job; it's about finding a place in a society that seems to be moving and evolving faster than I can keep up with. The fear of failing at the things I try is paralyzing, and the struggle for positions is fierce, making the job hunt feel like a never ending battle against an invisible enemy.

    Yet, during the struggles at the center of it all, there's a small light of hope that helps me through it. It's the realization that every generation has faced this phase of life and chosen the paths they want to take, each with its own set of challenges and fears. By accepting the hard and scary parts of growing up, I created a path that's mine alone and that no one shares. It's a journey that shows the growth I have gained, not just in age but in wisdom and character. With this, I believe we should all share our journeys and stories and the obstacles we faced as an economy and as individuals. The path that we create ourselves can light the way for others, in my case, those who follow in my footsteps, like my younger siblings.


    The expectations that come with growing up feel like crashing waves coming down on me. During my childhood, my view of the world was different. I saw a future of freedom and possibilities that would come easily. But as the years kept passing, reality started to come into view. The routine that we got comfortable with started to disappear because of the challenging tasks of making choices, such as a career or finances. All of this pressure on the choices we make feels like a win-or-lose game where the currency is our own future.

Entry #5: Bridging Futures

    Reading both articles expanded my viewpoint on the importance of getting an education after high school. As a college student, I understand some of the benefits of going to college that only pertain to me, such as being able to choose a career that I want to do and that I will enjoy, and knowing that while doing my career, I would be making a very above-average income because of my education and my certifications. I also knew that many job opportunities would start to be more noticeable in the future because of my level of education.

    After I read the articles, I started to understand the actual differences in incomes for people with different levels of education, the benefits to oneself, and the benefits the community achieves from more people seeking higher education. The difference in income between each level is a bit smaller than I imagined, but I understand it is speaking about the general public and not one career specifically, so the numbers will vary. And after doing some research about my career as a college student, I would still like to continue my education so I can one day work as I want to. 

    With the benefit of the community, I believe it is essential for people to at least try and go for a higher education if they don't want to. It's fine that school isn't for everyone, but if they do and continue, we can have higher wages, less poverty, and more jobs, which will benefit the community and the economy in the long run. In the end, school is a choice for people after high school, but I believe they should give it a chance because it has many benefits for them and for their community.