have a coke

I'm sure you have all seen the Super Bowl Coca-Cola commercial that aired this past Sunday. Chances are, the commercial might be the only thing you remember considering the game was nothing to write home about. If you haven't seen the commercial, please go watch it. It's beautiful. Here is the link: 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=443Vy3I0gJs&list=PLCIVZWq1FAwcWJmgdF5o3-QTZZ-OnBUgA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D443Vy3I0gJs%26list%3DPLCIVZWq1FAwcWJmgdF5o3-QTZZ-OnBUgA

This commercial has caused SO much controversy here in the U.S.... But why? Haven't we left the days of racism and close minded-ness in the dust? Weren't those mindsets buried in the graves of America's long-gone slave owners? I suppose not. 

People have said cruel, cruel things. Not only have the things been cruel, but they have been ignorant as well. "We speak English here in America," "The National Anthem is supposed to be in English," "Your going to lose our business," (yes I used the wrong form of "you're" for emphasis).. These, along with many other vulgar comments, were posted all over Coca-Cola's Facebook page and clouded all of our Twitter feeds. 

I have so, so many issues with everything that was said. Coca-Cola did NOT use the National Anthem in their commercial. English is NOT the only language spoken in America. And if people think they can go longer than a week without a Coke, they're probably wrong. Personally, I think all of these people speaking out against Coca-Cola for their commercial are tainting America's image that has been built up since before any of us were put on this Earth. 

I loved the commercial, and here's why: 

I love diversity. I thrive off of the integration of different cultures that surrounds me each and everyday. I recognize that the world, even the country, we live in is more diverse than it has EVER been, and that is a beautiful thing. I am a firm believer that in order to understand your own culture you must also understand cultures around you. America is a country of opportunity. That is something we, as citizens, should be proud of. Seeing people of all shapes, sizes, nationalities, classes, etc. come together should give us all the tinglies inside. We should look at this like a proud mom looks at her 4th grader for winning a spelling bee. America is incredible. And this we owe a great deal to diversity. 

So, I applaud Coca-Cola. I got chill bumps when I saw the commercial, and I do not even hesitate to say it was my favorite commercial of the night, even beating out the adorable little puppy in the Budweiser commercial. 

I advise everyone to take a deep breath, look at the world around you, and have a Coke. It'll do us all some good. 

xoxo, Liv

life plan

Blogging everyday is hard. H-A-R-D..Hard. Even blogging once a week...Or once a month if you're me (oops). However, I could say I'm attempting to blog more, BUT, that never works out for me. So I'm just going to continue doing what I feel like doing and maybe, just maybe, something beneficial will come out of it.

I'm already almost a month into the semester and it has been an absolute blur. I've taken on the extreme task of 18 hours *gasp*and can feel it slowly but surely killing me. But, I have a plan. I HAVE A PLAN YOU GUYS. I haven't been very certain about my plan the entire time I've been here, but now I've got something down. I've got life goals and aspirations and a major that will hopefully get me going on the right path towards that. Much like writing down goals or whatevs in hopes that you'll be more inspired to keep them, putting my plan into writing feels incredible.

My official major is English with a concentration in Literature. I'm highly considering adding a Religious Studies minor to that, but I don't have to narrow that down quite yet. After I graduate with my Bachelors (which I hope to do in 3 years AND I'm on the right track to do that, might I add) I'm going to continue and work towards my Masters. Hopefully I'll be done with that in 5 years *fingers crossed*. I then want to continue on to graduate school and further my education. I've always thought I would sound nice with a "Dr." as my title.

Anyways, those are just the logistics of everything. What I really want to accomplish is something that will make a difference. After either graduating with my Masters or my Doctorate (haven't gotten this far yet....) I want to teach in a different area. Preferably an area where they're lacking in educational resources. Whether I'm going to be led to a different country or an impoverished area in the United States, I'm not sure. But I want to spend a couple of years impacting people and encouraging them that they CAN become something. They should never feel inadequate to those that have more money or more resources than they do. Nothing...I repeat NOTHING....makes them lesser than anyone else, and sometimes they just need a solid influence in their life to make them actually believe that. I will be that person. After finishing my time there I want to continue on and teach english at a collegiate level. I would really love to teach a special class on Middle Eastern literature or something of the sort, because that's where my interest really lies.

So far I feel like this is really what I'm called to do. I know as well as anybody else that plans have a funny way of changing themselves around, but right now I'm really in love with the life plan I have for myself. And I know that the stresses of my classes right now will pay off. I also know that I am blessed beyond belief to have the opportunity to study at a University, and, beyond that, I have the opportunity to spend everyday studying something that I absolutely love. School isn't so bad when you like what you're doing.

Best wishes.
xoxo, Liv