Does this Answer Why?

by Manisha Verma Posted on November 15, 2012

Being a vegan, I am always being asked ‘SO… what can you eat?” or a weird facial reaction and then “Why?!” Well, I will explain myself.

First off, it’s a healthy choice. Seriously, you can eat whatever vegan thing you want! (In proper portions) and never gain weight or break out. But above all, it presents only fresh non-processed food that leaves you feeling fresh and properly nourished. Rather than that yucky processed food, most vegan choices are locally farmed, and made to make your body happy.

Secondly, it’s compassionate. It is sad and a bit disgusting to see how cruel animals are treated when about to be slaughtered to me. I chose to be vegan because I do not support this way of getting food and the treatment animals are given.

Third, it’s delicious! I know most people think otherwise, but for me vegan food has always tasted more fresh, and a lot better. Vegan cookies? Mmm!

Here are three of the main reasons while I am vegan! I love the decision I made. Now, don’t feel as if I am preaching because I am not. Just explaining some benefits!

 

 

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Movie Review!

by Manisha Verma Posted on November 15, 2012

I decided to try something different as I approach my last blog posts in this class. A movie review! Instead of hiding under all the papers of work, I need to cram before the end of the semester.. I decided to relax and watch a heart-warming movie. (I mean, one with Morgan Freeman on the cover.)

The Bucket List begins with two men from two very different worlds and ideas are bound together by one common illness – terminal lung cancer. The Bucket List is like no other dramatic tragedy. Carter Chambers and Edward Cole find themselves together, fighting to live their lives before losing it

Edward Cole, played by Jack Nicholson, is a billionaire hospital tycoon, who is anything but warm and sensitive. He owns many hospitals. He’s been through – not one – but several divorces from which he has one daughter, who happens to be estranged. Cole has just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and is reluctant to the idea of him sharing a room with an unfeasible match, Carter Chambers, commenting, “He looks half dead already,” upon seeing Chambers.

Carter Chambers, played by Morgan Freeman, is a quiet mechanic who has come from modest means. He’s been faithfully married to his wife, Virginia, for forty-five years. They have three children. Of his two sons, one is a lawyer and the other an engineer. His daughter is a violinist. He has also been diagnosed with lung cancer and calmly copes with this serious illness while watching Cole’s every move upon meeting him, creating a perception of this man. This all changes, however.

As the movie continues both characters grow closer and closer together, and it ends up being a great movie concept with a very heart-warming ending. I give this movie 5 stars, if anyone cares. But really, I recommend it!

Quote that made me a slight bit teary-eyed:

 “The simplest thing is… I loved him. And I miss him. Carter and I saw the world together. Which is amazing… When you think that only three months ago, we were complete strangers! I hope that it doesn’t sound selfish of me but… the last months of his life were the best months of mine. He saved my life… And he knew it before I did.”

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So Progressive, Really

by Manisha Verma Posted on November 15, 2012

The word progressive defines the election that Hawaii held recently.

Not only did the 50th state elect Japan-born Mazie Hirono to be the first ever Asian-American woman elected to the Senate, they also elected Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as the first ever-practicing Hindu to US House of Representatives.

Gabbard, who will represent the state’s second district explained in an interview that her election “shows the respect, diversity and love and aloha that people have in Hawaii.”

Gabbard joins fellow Hawaiian Mazie Hirono. Twenty women will be in the U.S. Senate in January, including Wisconsin Democratic Representative Tammy Baldwin, the first openly gay senator.

“I think it’s a perfect time and a great time for Congress to start moving toward this representation on diversity and really this common ideal that regardless of what our differences might be, we all need to come together now to do what’s best for the people,” Gabbard said.

 

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Hurricane Sandy

by Manisha Verma Posted on November 9, 2012

My sister was in New York City when Hurricane Sandy hit. She was fortunate enough to be healthy and wasn’t set back too much with the loss of power. However, others weren’t so fortunate and my heart goes out to them. Stay strong!

 

On a positive note, relief was sent in abundance. In fact, this was the largest U.S. relief effort by the American Red Cross and others since Hurricane Katrina.

According to an article on the Huffington Post, by Friday the Red Cross had raised $117 million in donations and pledges. The Salvation Army raised $5 million.

This was the largest private relief organization, the Red Cross noticed the boost in fundraising from networks like NBC and ABC. They accumulated a total of $40 million.

 

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Election’s Controversial Issues

by Manisha Verma Posted on November 9, 2012

With the election creeping on us, citizens are going out to vote and encourage others to. The decision they make reflects their beliefs on these hot-button issues.

Here is a list of some of those issues and the position Mitt Romney of Barack Obama take on them.

 1.     Abortion and the use of Birth Control

 

Obama is not against abortion. He is also not against Birth Control, as Health care law requires these pills to be available free for women enrolled in workplace health plans.

 

On the other hand, Romney opposes the act of abortion except in cases of rape, risk to the woman’s life or incest. Romney says state law should guide abortion rights and Roe v. Wade should be reversed in the future. He also promises to end federal aid to Planned Parenthood.

 

2.     Gay Rights

 

Obama supports legal recognition of same-sex marriage, and giving states the choice to recognize it. And has so far achieved repeal of the military ban on openly gay members.

 

However, Romney opposes legal recognition of same-sex marriage and says that it should be banned with a constitutional amendment, not left to the states. Romney also states, he would not seek to restore the ban on openly gay military members.

 

 3.     As a Texan, guns mean everything to us. Seriously. Rick Perry goes jogging with one!

 

 

Obama has not pushed for stricter gun laws as president. However, he has signed laws letting people carry concealed weapons in national parks and in checked bags on Amtrak trains.

 

 

Romney opposes stricter gun control laws. And due to the tragic events that took place in the Colorado theater, he favors tougher enforcement of existing gun laws. In 2004 he signed a Massachusetts ban on assault weapons.

 4.     WAR. WAR. WAR.

 

Obama ended the Iraq war and increased U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan then began drawing down the force with a plan to have all out by the end of 2014. He approved U.S. air power in NATO-led campaign that let Libya to the fall of their government.

 

Romney proposes an increase in military spending and endorses 2014 end to U.S. combat in Afghanistan. He plans to increase strength of armed forces.

 

5. TAXES

 

Obama plans to raise taxes on the wealthy and ensure they pay 30 p% of their income at minimum. He believes in Bush-era tax cuts for everyone making under $200,000 or $250,000 for couples.

 

However, Romney wishes to keep Bush-era tax cuts for all incomes and drop all tax rates further, by 20% bringing the top rate.

 

 

Here are the top 5 issues that usually break friendships, hearts and ruin family dinners. However, they are the issues on everyone’s mind. Be sure to vote! 

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Mariachi Alas De Oro

by Manisha Verma Posted on October 24, 2012

I crossed out one more item on my bucket list Monday!

Photo credit: St. Edward’s University website.

I attended the Mariachi Alas de Oro at St. Edward’s University. This mariachi band played tracks by a variety of Mexican composers, and through their music, the band celebrated several events, including a vocalist’s mother’s birthday. The spirit in the whole room was lively. Many students and parents in the audience were clapping and singing along to the traditional and mainstream tunes.

I found the experience artistically and musically fulfilling. The vocalists and musicians put their soul into the music, and I felt it. My comments for this band are all positive, and the experience was one I will remember.

 

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“Urban Rail is a joke.”

by Manisha Verma Posted on October 16, 2012

At an Austin City Council meeting on Thursday, a substantial topic leaves one citizen losing hope in having his voice heard.

“Urban rail is a joke,” Will McLeod said at an Austin City Council meeting Thursday.

McLeod is an Austin resident who left the meeting feeling hopeless after being turned down by the council members and Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

“I am an Austin taxpayer, and one thing that really irks me in particular is rail,” McLeod said.

But the city council thinks otherwise.

Research into Austin’s proposed Urban Rail system was endorsed with another five million dollars Thursday at the Austin City Council meeting.

The council is allotting $1 million to match a $4 million federal grant.

The money will go towards revising original plans for the extension of track between the Mueller Development in East Austin and downtown.

But McLeod said the rail “costs too much and does too little.” He is opinionated based on experience. When McLeod lived in Houston, he said he got off work at the Galleria Mall and would frequently take a 24-hour bus to Sharpstown. But when a metro rail was built at the bus stop, he said, “we kissed that bus goodbye.”

Instead of experiencing a repeat in Austin, he said he would like to see Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority abolished, let the city voters take care of it and have it run by the elected officials. “In other words, we elect the CEO of this, and they can not make these same mistakes.”

However, The Transit Working Group is finding ways to ensure urban rail could be funded in the long term.

If this is approved, the Urban Rail system is expected to cost approximately $550 million and begin operation in 2021.

 

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My Biography!

by Manisha Verma Posted on October 6, 2012

GUYS! I swear this isn’t to brag, for my music class here at St. Edward’s we had an assignment to make a biography of ourselves. I thought it would be neat to put it on my blog so you guys better understand me! Have a look!

 

Born in Victoria, Texas and educated in the private school system, Manisha Verma is currently a student at St. Edward’s University Austin, Texas. She is currently involved in many prestigious organizations like, Phi Alpha Delta prestigious law fraternity and non- profit organization, The Global Health Foundation.

Manisha Verma has been playing tennis for last 7 years and is involved in the United States National Tennis Association as a competitive tennis player in the super champs division. She also made it to state competition in the past.

Manisha has been playing piano for last 10 years, and has been involved with the American College of Musicians and has won several awards in piano.

Manisha also held several fundraisers to raise money for a poor local blind orphan school in New Delhi, India. In the summer of 2012, she traveled to New Delhi, India to visit the school, Janta Adarsh Andh Vidyalaya to donate the money and books and to volunteer there.  She currently sponsors many orphans who attend that school. She has earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award and Prudential Community Awards Excellence in Volunteer Service for all of her work put into this cause.

Manisha has also been involved in several pageants and has held the title Little Miss Austin and Teen United America in order to raise awareness for her platform.

Manisha has also been a hostess for several commercials for Texas Internal Medicine & Diagnostic Center as well as Forever Young Wellness and Medical Spa on Radio, Television, and print.

Now in her teens, Manisha Verma continues to attend St. Edward’s University to finish a double major in Political Science and Communications as well as a minor specialization in Broadcast Journalism. Her ambitions include, becoming a lawyer as well as a political commentator.

 

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Let’s Get Technological

by Manisha Verma Posted on October 6, 2012

                

Blackboard released an updated iPad, iPhone and Android app that offers St. Edward’s students an easier and more convenient way to access their coursework.

The updated version was released September 17 and made available to college campuses nation-wide. Major changes include the dashboard, the integration with Dropbox and the ability of this app to work on devices without the need of Wi-Fi.

Brenda Adrian pulled out her iPad to explain the interface. She is the associate director at the Instructional Technology department at St. Edward’s University.

“The integration of Dropbox is the most useful feature in my opinion,” Adrian said. Drop Box is one of thBlackboard Application Updatee major ways of organizing files for students so the app leads to an even more convenient experience, she said. Adrian also commented on how easy it is to add discussions, blogs and check grades, without the need for Wi-Fi.

There are disadvantages to using this app though. “You can’t get to everything,” Adrian said.

The app is not integrated with YouTube so accessing video is not as easy. The app also lacks a feature that allows the user to submit documents from the app.

But the app is constantly improving. Users will expect to see these features incorporated into the app in the near future, Adrian said.

 

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Drug Tests in Middle Schools?

by Manisha Verma Posted on September 28, 2012

Recently The New York Times released a story that’s main focus is on a family from Pennsylvania who is currently fighting the drug testing of middle school students

The Kiederer family recently filed a lawsuit against the Delaware Valley School District in Pennsylvania. One of the Kiederer daughters was asked to undergo a drug test because she wanted to play sports for a team. However, the problem is their daughter is only in middle school!

The family fights this because they believe “that the practice is unnecessary and violates privacy rights.”

However, what privacy rights does a middle school child have?!

I would like to propose two counter arguments to the Kiederer’s comments.

Firstly, we must realize that things like drugs and pregnancy are increasingly happening at a much younger age than before. Parents are losing more and more control over what their child has access to. Thus, parents should be able to have the least bit of assurance through simple processes such as peeing in a cup for testing. Even steroids can be a concern.

Secondly, children will always play a major role of influence with each other, especially through curiosity and experimentation.  Parents should have an idea of whether the kid on the same team as their child is on drugs! And what exactly the consequences are.

So, perhaps the benefits weigh out the negatives in this situation. In my opinion, middle school students should continue to get drug tested.

 

 

 

 

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