The E-cigarette: What do you think?

Monday, October 26th, 2009
The Media
15 Comments

I’m a smoker. A smoker of Marlboro Menthol Lights to be exact. I started on my Mom’s Merit Ultra Lights when I was 13, stealing a few from her pack when I was going to a local show or hanging out in our shopping plaza. I went to Kool Menthols, Newports, and have been seen smoking Salems when I want to feel fancy. I finally settled at home with Marlboro Menthols when I hit 16 and realized that they are the best menthol in my opinion.

As a smoker, I get the obvious questions from interesting people:

“Don’t you know that it’s dangerous?” - says the girl who gets piss drunk every weekend and brags about her memory loss.

“They give you cancer.” - from the overweight man who continues to munch his fries in front of me.

“They make you smell.” - from the hippie who refuses to use deodorant.

Am I used to hearing these questions and statements? Of course I am. Am I used to getting glares from 20 feet away because I’m smoking a cigarette? You betcha! But from everything I’ve experienced as a smoker, I’ve never heard of the E-cigarette until recently.

This new scientific revolution is an electronic cigarette, and it was on the front page of my USA Today. It comes complete with an indicator light, battery, atomizer, liquids cartiridge, and inhaler tip. These e-cigarettes emit a water vapor substance that contains nicotine, water, and chemicals. What are these chemicals? The article doesn’t say. What it DOES say is that the FDA has tested them and they still do contain carcinogens. The dangers are unknown so far, but further testing is being done on this new cigarette which people hope will help them quit.

As a smoker, I’m not sure about this. I have quit before using Nicotine gum, and the lozenges. Needless to say, I’m an addict! I like smoking, and when I want to quit I will do it, but I’m skeptical about these new “cigarettes.” So, I ask you, smoker or nonsmoker, what do you think about this new “cigarette?” Do you think it’s safer? Do you think it will put tobacco companies out of business? Or do you think it’s a crock? How about smoking something battery powered?

With its smokeless vapor I guess it’d be cool to “light up” in class. Ha!

Reprieve from Studying

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
Food & Recipes, Photos, School, The Media, Uncategorized
8 Comments

It is officially T-Minus 3 days until I take my Praxis II on Saturday at 7:30 in the morning. For those of you who haven’t heard my ranting and freaking out, this is my second teacher certification test. I took my first one two years ago. This test contains 120 multiple choice questions on everything having to do with English and Literature as well as 4 essays which I’ll be writing in a matter of two hours. All together I should be there from 7:30 until about noon. I’ve been studying all summer, but this week is really crunch time. Below are my study books and my massive pile of terms and definitions on index cards. What with all the studying I’ve been doing, if you’re anything like me, you get hungry…

That being said, I’ve had a lot of people ask me some of my favorite school/study snacks. Oddly enough when I’m immersed in school is when I’m on my best behavior regarding snacking, strange, but true. Summer is when I tend to mindlessly eat and smoke my brains out, ha! So, a list of my favorite study snacks, why I love them, and why they’re good for you!

95% Fat Free Popcorn: It’s only 120 calories for 6 cups which is basically the whole bag. I love it because it’s easy to grab when I’m reading, haha. Convenience does not have to be bad for you, right? Plus it has tons of fiber to keep your mind focused and your tummy full.

Pita Chips & Hummus: Again, another great way to stay full and focused! For a chip junkie like myself, NY’s Pita Chips make is easy for me to have some crunch and stay satisfied and focused. I love the Sea Salt flavor!

My Salad: This is my brain food salad, haha. I take fresh romaine lettuce, a few slices of skinless turkey (cold cuts!), cucumbers, carrots, green pepper, and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar and Wishbone’s Balsamic salad spritzer. It packs protein, calcium, and tons of great vitamins from the veggies as well as only 1 calorie per spray of dressing. It’s light without being oily like some salad dressings can be.

Grannysmith Apple w/Peanut Butter: My Mom got me hooked on these when I was a kid. I love the tartness of a Grannysmith Apple, but the PB keeps you full and satisfied. Also, I’ve heard eating an apple in the morning wakes you up better than coffee. I’m not sure what I think about that but it’s certainly delicious.

And when all else fails, my Dunkin’ Donuts medium iced coffee with skim milk and Splenda keeps me going along with a pack of menthols. I didn’t say I’m the perfect health nut, we all have our vices, right?

Why pay for Extensions?

Monday, July 13th, 2009
Photos, The Media
13 Comments

Seriously though? Why pay for any drastic measure when you can just Photoshop it in? I kid! I’m not one for drastic cosmetic measures for the most part, but after talking to my boyfriend about breast implants last night I got inspired to write something along the same lines, and why not accompany with a picture? I’m not against cosmetic procedures, in fact, if there’s something about your body (guys or gals!) that makes you that uncomfortable, I say fix it. Not all procedures are something that I would personally do to my own body, but everything is not for everyone. If I ever get a large sum of money the first thing I would probably do after paying off my parents’ mortgage and buying Keith a Dodge Charger would be hair extensions. I almost got them for the wedding I was in, but the price is astronomical, and I want them to look good and natural.

I was playing around in Photoshop and managed to not only get rid of a zit on my chin, but brighten my complexion and grow out my hair all within the matter of an hour. I almost changed my eyes to green just to see what it would look like, but my Mom who was watching me transform on the computer screen didn’t seem to like it all that much. After all, why change my eye color when Van Morrison wrote a song about me?

My point here being, don’t let the magazines make you think you need to change your boobs, butt, hair, or what have you. Photoshop is an amazing tool which is used globally to touch up women and men even though they look fine to begin with. And if all else fails, you can always use Photoshop to make you look worse (I turned myself into a Zombie last Halloween). Besides, the Victoria’s Secret models in the catalog are robots, I’m sure of it. No one is that hot, except maybe Kate Winslet and she’s not in the VS Catalog, she’s just been naked in almost every movie she’s ever made, and looked damn good doing it.

Things I Love: Tuesday

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Daily Grind, Food & Recipes, The Media
8 Comments

I haven’t done a “TIL” post in a long time, not to say I haven’t found anything to love, I sure have! What with studying for the Praxis II and going to the gym, and all of the weddings I haven’t had time to devote a post to all of the things that have been making my mood perk up. So, here we go, all of the things from the past few weeks and this week that have been keeping me on top of my happy game:

First of all, Frito Lay has come up with yet another delicious and healthy snack that’s easy to take with you. It’s from the Smartfood family, and they’re called Popcorn Clusters. I tried the honey multigrain flavor and it’s delicious. These are lactose free, have no MSG, and best of all 5g of dietary fiber and only one gram of fat! For you WW girls and guys out there that translates to 1 WW point. I usually eat them after lunch and before dinner to take the edge off of my hunger.

After the last wedding I went to (which Keith and I were in), a lot of us ended up sick, including myself. We chalked it up to someone being sick who was serving the food, but there’s no reason to not prevent spreading of germs. I love BBW’s Foaming Soaps. They’re 100% antibacterial, and clean rinse off rather than leaving a sticky residue if you’re a half hearted rinser like I am, haha. I personally love the Pink Grapefruit which is a light, yummy summer scent.

Last but not least, two new authors to take a gander at if you haven’t already. Pictured at the left is Jodi Picoult’s novel The Pact, which I received as a Christmas gift and just finished. It was a page turner that had me laughing, crying, and wanting more. She’ll be getting some money from me tomorrow when I stop at Barne’s and Noble to pick up some more reads. Also, not pictured but just as important: Christpher Moore. I received one of his books as a present as well, and he is hilarious. I had the pleasure of reading Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. I was literally hysterical while reading this book. It’s a great mood upper, so go check out his website too. And if you’ve read them already, let me know what you thought!

Friday 5 on Saturday?

Saturday, June 27th, 2009
Daily Grind, The Media
7 Comments

I decided to complete the Friday5 on Saturday just to be different & since I’ve had a bit of a lagging in my blogging thoughts, I decided this would be a fun group of questions since more often than not I always seem to be living under a rock regarding important things.

1. Where do you get most of your information about current local events? Most of the time I never know what’s going on it my town, haha. Usually my Aunt Rose knows about things like fireworks and concerts, but otherwise I usually see signs while driving.

2. Where do you get most of your information about current national and international events? My news feed!! I have it linked on my e-mail homepage! It’s the only way I get to hear about news, etc. When I’m at school I always pick up a USA Today since they’re free.

3. Who in your family always is most likely to know what’s up with everyone else in your family? My Aunt Anne (my Dad’s sister), and my Aunt Rose (my Mom’s sister) and my Mom usually know everything that’s going on including parties, vacations and the like. I’m just told where to go and I go there, haha.

4. Who at work (or school) always seems to know what’s going on? Kathleen, always without fail! She always knows what’s going on from celeb news to the crisis in the Middle East. She’s my go to for anything that might be important.

5. What other kinds of news do you try to keep up-to-date on and where do you get it? Local & celeb news is mainly what I end up trying to keep up on. Does that count? When I’m in school I’m most informed due to free papers of all kinds, but we don’t get a newspaper at my house. I get my news from friends, family & the inets.

So, for those of you who are more cultured than I am (heh), how do you get your news and stay in the know? Any tips for someone like me? Good feeds? Let me know, please!

« Older Posts Newer Posts »