Katie's Blog

Entertainment Through Streaming

In the aging of the streaming world, entertainment has become an endless playground for adults and children, where the genres are unlimited. The days of flipping through channels, waiting for the right time to see your show are long over. Now with just a few clicks of the remote, a new world  of entertainment is in reach, from flinching horror movies to the perfect late night rom-com that you can’t see in theaters. 

Streaming platforms offer a variety of unique features such as original shows only found on the app, or algorithm-driven playlists that may know what we want even more than ourselves. In the evolving digital world, streaming has helped redefine the way we experience stories, making entertainment more personalized and limitless- all from the comfort of home. 

For Bekah Hill, a 24 year old certified nursing assistant, streaming is about granting flexibility. “With the long and bizarre hours I have, it is nice to be able to watch a show on my schedule,” she mentioned. “They are pretty accurate with show recommendations too, and it has helped me find some of my now favorite shows.”

Similarly, Dorothy Lasko, emphasizes how this has changed how much she spends on tv. “I’m subscribed to a few different services and it is drastically different and cheaper than any cable package i’ve had,” she said. “This way I get to skip the ads and save money.” 

Nicole Miller, also has the same thoughts. “I have a variety of services I use, but I rotate through them.” she explained. “The nice part is that I’m able to cancel one if I’m not using it. There’s also different subscription options depending on your budget.”

The streaming world is continuing to grow, and not only provides entertainment but is changing the way people control their money, time, and choices. From discovering new binge worthy shows or saving expenses, streaming is becoming increasingly popular for how people choose to watch their favorite shows. 

Trend Sketch

In the aging of the streaming world, entertainment has become an endless playground for adults and children, where the genres are unlimited. The days of flipping through channels, waiting for the right time to see your show are over. Now with just a few clicks of the remote, a new world  of entertainment is in reach, from flinching horror movies to the perfect late night rom-com that you can’t see in theaters. Streaming platforms offer a variety of unique features such as shows produced by that platform or algorithm-driven playlists that may know what you want even more than yourself. In the evolving digital world, streaming has helped redefine the way we experience stories, making entertainment more personalized and limitless.

Whether it’s Lectures or Work: A Nap is the Solution

In the whirlwind of college, where academic pressure is at an all time high, social activities, sports practice, and part time jobs colliding, napping has become routine for students. Between the late nights doing homework and early morning classes, many students will turn to a nap for a quick energy recharge between lectures and practice. 

From an early age, students were encouraged to nap. In kindergarten there is designated nap/rest time blocked out during the day. Naps help children’s brains convert short-term memories into long-term memories, which improves their ability to learn and transfer information. When talking to junior Grace Heusinkvelt, and asking their thoughts about kindergarten nap time she said, “I miss those days. I think everyone needs naps, especially adults and we should formally incorporate those into our days now.” Unfortunately, once students get to first grade, naps become a thing of the past and suddenly everyone is assumed to have enough energy to go seven plus hours per day (or more) nonstop. 

As students continue to get older their schedules only get busier with academics, activities, sports, clubs, jobs and more – while their available time for sleep dwindles. In addition, while this is happening, in most cases students are required to get up extremely early for school in middle school and high school – and sometimes college – during a time when students are not wired to wake up early. There are actually school districts that have changed the start time for their middle schools and high schools due to the fact that it is more beneficial to those students. In a meta-analysis of existing evidence found later start times were correlated with better attendance, less tardiness, less falling asleep in class, better grades, and fewer car crashes.

In college, there is an increasing struggle for proper sleep, especially those with 8 a.m. classes. Staying up late to study, finish assignments, and having a social life leaves students with a minimal amount of sleep before the alarm goes off to begin the next day. The tiredness carries on through the afternoon with going into a “food coma” after lunch. Post lunch exhaustion hits, making it difficult to concentrate on lectures or other school work. For most, the solution to this is a power nap, even if it is just 20 to 30 minutes, to revive their energy and to complete their tasks. Short naps are often one of the best and most effective ways to build the strength for afternoon classes, sports practice, and their part time jobs. 

To get firsthand perspective information, I had an interview with Amber Hofemeister, a junior in bio-chem major. “I have always enjoyed naps, but they have come more essential to me since college,” Amber stated. “With  8 a.m. classes, I typically am up by 7, and with homework and practice, I usually am not in bed until after midnight. By lunchtime I am completely exhausted and most days have time for a quick nap before my afternoon lab. With naps, I am able to feel revived and more focused.”

This concept of recharging isn’t limited to just students. The work force world has woken up and successful companies such as Google, Facebook, and Uber are creating workplaces that embrace the idea of naps. These large corporate companies have managed to make nap pods and quiet room areas, acknowledging that rest is needed to have the most efficient work done. Taking a short nap is able to improve focus and spark more creativity. Naps are now being seen as a key component to success. 

Perhaps it may be time for more places to follow this new idea. If adults in the workforce are allowed for a midday recharge, why shouldn’t students in an equally demanding environment?  Rest may need to be reformed, as it is an essential part of our health and is what gives us productivity. Whether it’s a quick nap on the couch or in a nap pod, it’s what keeps us going everyday. 

College Culture (Draft)

In the whirlwind of college, where academic pressure is at an all time high, social activities, sports practice, and part time jobs colliding, napping has become routine for students. Between the late nights doing homework and early morning classes, many students will turn to a nap for a quick energy recharge between lectures and practice. 

From an early age, students were encouraged to nap. In kindergarten there is designated nap/rest time blocked out during the day. Naps help children’s brains convert short-term memories into long-term memories, which improves their ability to learn and transfer information. When talking to XX and asking their thoughts about kindergarten nap time she said, “I miss those days. I think everyone needs naps, especially adults and we should formally incorporate those into our days now.” Unfortunately, once students get to first grade, naps become a thing of the past and suddenly everyone is assumed to have enough energy to go seven plus hours per day (or more) nonstop. 

As students continue to get older their schedules only get busier with academics, activities, sports, clubs, jobs and more – while their available time for sleep dwindles. In addition, while this is happening, in most cases students are required to get up extremely early for school in middle school and high school – and sometimes college – during a time when students are not wired to wake up early. There are actually school districts that have changed the start time for their middle schools and high schools due to the fact that it is more beneficial to those students. A meta-analysis of existing evidence found later start times were correlated with better attendance, less tardiness, less falling asleep in class, better grades, and fewer car crashes (Wheaton, A. G., et al).

In college, there is an increasing struggle for proper sleep, especially those with 8 a.m. classes. Staying up late to study, finish assignments, and having a social life leaves students with a minimal amount of sleep before the alarm goes off to begin the next day. The tiredness carries on through the afternoon with going into a “food coma” after lunch. Post lunch exhaustion hits, making it difficult to concentrate on lectures or other school work. For most, the solution to this is a power nap, even if it is just 20 to 30 minutes, to revive their energy and to complete their tasks. Short naps are often one of the best and most effective ways to build the strength for afternoon classes, sports practice, and their part time jobs. 

To get firsthand perspective information, I had an interview with Amber Hofmeister, a junior in bio-chem major. “I have always enjoyed naps, but they have come more essential to me since college,” Amber stated. “With  8 a.m. classes, I typically am up by 7, and with homework and practice, I usually am not in bed until after midnight. By lunchtime I am completely exhausted and most days have time for a quick nap before my afternoon lab. With naps, I am able to feel revived and more focused.”

My America.

America, at this moment, feels like a seesaw teetering back and forth between visions and values. As ballots were getting cast and counted last night, it felt like the country had its heart on the line, pumping louder and faster. This election I had the privilege to cast a ballot and to use my voice. Since I can remember I have always been intrigued by politics and how things in our country are done and the policies put in place. Every election I remind myself that it is we the people that have the right to choose and make a difference. 

To me, my America is long gone. I don’t know if I can confidently answer what my America is today, because I myself am trying to figure that out. I believe in democracy. I believe in the right to choose. I believe in equality and firmly stand on anti racism. I believe no one is above the law. I believe in kindness. These are all things I want for my America, but these are all things I wasn’t fortunate enough to have at only the age of 20. When I would say “I’m an American,”  I used to feel proud and call myself fortunate to be one. When I say “I’m an American,” now, I feel ashamed and angry. I have been left in fear for myself and my potential future children, left with the daunting question of, do I even want to raise kids in this kind of country?

This isn’t the way I had hoped for the 2024 election to go, but I did do the most important thing I could do which was taking part in the Democratic process of voting. I will continue to push for not only myself to vote and make a change, but everyone else too. Voting has the ability to change anything you want it to, and I asserted my right to be heard, to push for a country that works for everyone, without feeling like they are trying to be silenced. Voting is something that I have been passionate about since before I was even eligible to vote. It is so extremely important to me to exercise the right to do so, and I think part of the reason I feel so strongly about it is because I am a woman and I will refuse to give up and keep going backwards. 

If we take a trip down memory lane, women weren’t granted the right to vote until 1920. In 1973 the U.S. The Supreme Court ruled to protect the right to have an abortion in the Constitution. In 1974 women were granted the right to take out a loan, credit card, and personal bank account in their name. Nearly 50 years later, in 2022 women lost their constitutional right to have a medically safe abortion. As a young woman I feel I lost more than just the election. 

Growing up being told stories of America and how wonderful it was to be here feels like a fever dream now. I was taught that we were run under a Democracy, something we should be considered fortunate for. That was until I got my bodily autonomy stripped from me. That was until they allowed my grandmother more rights than me. That was until they overturned Roe v. Wade, even though the majority of America did not want that. That was until 2024 when now, the whole government is likely to be taken over by red seats as the majority. 

So what is my America right now? My America is misogynistic. It does not respect bodily autonomy for women. It does not respect women’s health. It does not see women as equals. And it does not feel that women have the right to decide for themselves what to do with their bodies as the woman feels fit. This election showed me the true horrors of what my America is, no respect for women leaving me feeling very disillusioned and angry. The America I knew and loved would have never turned away from me and belittle me as much as it does now. My America has left me hopeless. 

College Culture Sketch

In the whirlwind of college, where academic pressure is at an all time high, social activities, and part time jobs colliding, napping has become routine for students. Between the late nights doing homework and early morning classes, many students will turn to a nap for a quick energy recharge between lectures and practice. 

For older generations, napping has been seen as a weakness. Now there seems to be a collective shift as most students seem to find this in their daily routine. 

“Hit Man” Movie Review

The Netflix movie “Hit Man” delivers a blend of romance, comedy, and suspense. The film is centered around the main character Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) who goes through a personality transformation. Gary is a professor at a university and teaches psychology and philosophy, while also working undercover at the New Orleans Police Department. He started as working in a van doing technical things, but when an emergency arises, Gary is required to pose as a hit man. 

He becomes so successful that he becomes the unit’s full-time undercover hit man. He gathers information on the person so he can adjust his appearance accordingly to the “client.” Things appear to be going well for him and lead to making many arrests, until he meets a woman named Madison (Adria Arjona). 

Madison wants to have her husband killed because he is abusive and this is her only way out. Madison isn’t just any ordinary client though, and Gary ends up breaking character and talks her out of it, but it ends up getting messy quickly. 

The movie’s theme is centered around the idea of change and identity, and Glen Powell puts on an excellent performance demonstrating the switch between his personalities he has to play. He has numerous personas that he pulls off and goes to extreme lengths to do so. His ability to pull off playing a character who himself is playing multiple characters was awfully impressive. The romantic relationship is what made the movie so suspenseful and worth watching. The chemistry between him and Adria Arjona was pretty remarkable and allowed to add more depth into their relationship and the plot itself. 

This movie does a great job at drawing out Gary Johnson’s life and giving him quite the personality, but seems to have nothing big whatsoever on Madison. It just felt like for someone being kind of a big part of the story line we get no background or even much of a story on her at all. She just seemed to be thrown in there and I wished we got to know more about her. 

The Director Richard Linklater, does a fantastic job with capturing the film’s blend of humor and action. The movie was overall paced well, and allowed moments to capture both the comedic scenes and suspenseful ones, while creating scenes that enhance the story. 

Although a lot of this story has been fabricated for the sake of the movie, this is based on a true story. If you are interested in true crime but also love romance and comedy then this is definitely one to check out. 

Navigating the Unknown

For as long as I can remember, I have been eagerly anticipating the journey of growing up. I couldn’t wait to turn 13, that moment when I would finally enter my teenage years, thinking about new independence and experiences I will endure. Then there was 16—the age when I could secure my driver’s license, something that symbolizes adventure and freedom, allowing an open door to endless spontaneous nights. But the most significant milestone was turning 18, the transition into adulthood, when I could officially leave the  comforts of home behind and start the path to self-discovery and responsibility, and learning to navigate life on my own. 

As 18 started to creep up on me faster than I thought it would, a wave of overwhelming fear washed over me. Everything in my life was about to change when I went off to college, and the reality hit me like a ton of bricks. 

I feared leaving behind everything I had ever known: my home, my neighborhood, and the friends I had grown up with since kindergarten. The thought of starting over felt overwhelming—scary even. I was about to step into a new state, a new place, surrounded by people I didn’t know. 

When talking to professor Chris Simmons about his own experience on leaving home he said, “I was excited to go to school, but not really scared. I was more nervous on what to expect because college is a lot more dependent, unlike high school where you have people to depend on and keep track of you.” 

Later in the interview with professor Simmons, he thought back to a student he had years back that had brought up similar fears to him when it came to being away from her family. “She came here for golf and ended up not playing. She didn’t know anyone and was anxious and not enjoying her experience” he stated. He further elaborated on that and said, “not knowing anyone is a really scary thing and a hard adjustment, she ultimately ended up leaving because she couldn’t adjust.” 

I was stuck between excitement and dread. It was an unsettling mix of emotions. I imagined all the possibilities that lay ahead—new friendships, new experiences, and a chance to be whoever I want to be. This new chapter felt like a blank canvas, a thrilling thought where no one knew my past, and I could be whoever I wanted. But just under that excitement was a constant hum of anxiety: What if I can’t do it? What if I fail? What if I don’t find my place? My mind raced with a million scenarios, each more daunting than the last.

It provided me comfort to know that many students also shared the same nervousness as me. When asking student athlete Will Karpstein similar questions he responded with, “Of course I had those thoughts. But I really had no choice but to adjust. This was where my life was now, and every other freshman had the same thoughts I’m sure. Having that mentality is what I think provides me that security and that everything will work out.” 

When I arrived on campus, the reality of my fears really set in. The bustling hallways, the unfamiliar faces, and the daunting task of navigating it all felt overwhelming. I would find myself missing the comfort of my childhood room and sharing laughs on late nights with friends. 

In those first few weeks, I felt like a small fish in an ocean, scared and unsure. But as days turned into weeks, the unfamiliar began to feel a little more familiar. Around half way through the semester I started to feel more settled. Halloween weekend was the first time I was excited to go out. Everyone dressed up in costumes, and did hair and makeup together. It was the first big party that I had really attended and did not feel out of place. It was a gradual process, and over time I was able to find my rhythm. 

Months later, the campus transformed from a confusing maze into a place of endless possibilities. I was able to start zeroing in on what I liked and didn’t like. Exploring the different majors and minors I could do, and the classes I liked. I quickly began to realize I was most drawn to psychology and writing and from there on it felt like all the pieces started to fall together for me. 

 I began to feel at home, accepting the change rather than fighting it. Instead of fearing what lies ahead, I became excited about the future. I realized that this journey was not just about finding a new place but about discovering who I was becoming.

Personal Narrative Draft

(Add hook) For as long as I can remember, I was always so excited to grow up. I couldn’t wait to turn 13 so I could finally be a teenager, reveling in the idea of independence. Then there was 16—the age when I could drive, a symbol of that promised adventure. But the big one was turning 18, the moment I could officially step into adulthood, leaving the comforts of home behind.

As 18 started to creep up on me faster than I thought it would, a wave of overwhelming fear grazed over me. Everything in my life was about to change when I went off to college, and the reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I feared leaving behind everything I had ever known: my home, my neighborhood, and the friends I had grown up with since kindergarten. The thought of starting over felt overwhelming—scary even. I was about to step into a new state, a new place, surrounded by people I didn’t know.

At first, I was stuck between excitement and dread. It was an unsettling mix of emotions. I imagined all the possibilities that lay ahead—new friendships, new experiences, and a chance to be whoever I want to be. This new chapter felt like a blank canvas, a thrilling thought where no one knew my past, and I could be whoever I wanted. But just under that excitement was a constant hum of anxiety: What if I can’t do it? What if I fail? What if I don’t find my place? My mind raced with a million scenarios, each more daunting than the last.

When I arrived on campus, the reality of my fears set in. The bustling hallways, the unfamiliar faces, and the daunting task of navigating it all felt overwhelming. I would find myself missing the comfort of my childhood room and sharing laughs on late nights with friends. 

In those first few weeks, I felt like a small fish in an ocean, scared and unsure. But as days turned into weeks, the unfamiliar began to feel a little more familiar. I attended events and slowly started to build connections. It was a gradual process, and over time I was able to find my rhythm. 

Months later, the campus transformed from a confusing maze into a place of endless possibilities. I began to feel at home, accepting the change rather than fighting it. Instead of fearing what lies ahead, I became excited about the future. I realized that this journey was not just about finding a new place but about discovering who I was becoming.

Through the experience of having to start over at 18, it has allowed me to understand that being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak. Stepping out of my comfort zone has made me stronger as an individual. Starting over can be both challenging and rewarding. 

Need quotes!!!

Facing Your Fears

I believe in facing your fears. 

For as long as I can remember I was always so excited to grow up. I couldn’t wait to turn 13 so I was finally a teenager. I couldn’t wait to turn 16 so I could drive. And then the big one- turning 18 because that meant being on my own. As 18 started to creep up on me faster than I thought it would, I started to get an overwhelming feeling of fear. Everything in my life was about to change when I went off to college. I feared leaving everything I knew behind. I was starting over. This was a scary thought to have at the ripe age of 18. 

I went through such a wave of emotions between being excited, sad, and dreading what’s to come. It was a turning point, in which I knew everything was going to change. I was about to leave my home, my neighborhood, and friends that I had grown up with since I was in kindergarten. I was going to a new state, where I would be surrounded by people I didn’t know. This was exciting to me because it felt like a chance to start over where no one knew who I was. Then there was the feeling of fear- what if I can’t do it? What if I fail? It all felt too much at the age of 18, and my head was racing with a million scenarios on how this experience would play out. 

Months later the unfamiliar started to become familiar. It was slow starting but once I was able to find my rhythm I began to feel at home and instead of fearing what’s to come I am excited to see what the future holds. 

I believe in facing your fears. I believe that making yourself vulnerable makes you stronger. Starting over at 18 has taught me that change can be both nerve wracking and exciting. I have accepted that fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to have control over my life.