Black Friday

Black Friday is still a huge deal and every year there are new reports of crazy happenings on this day. People flock to outlet stores and wait in lines for hours on their Thanksgiving night. Limited stock and huge deals. Is this practice still relevant today though? In 2016 most of shopping is done online. It’s even possible to buy groceries online now. Cyber Monday has become almost as large as black friday, but it infinitely more useful and convenient. Items are stocked across the country and can be shipped anywhere without fear of missing out. There are no large crowds or lines. It is easier than spending all night shopping and there is no risk of your item being out of stock, damaged, or being harmed for it. It’s even possible to save more on the internet. There is no lines, no other people and it’s not even necessary to change out of sweat pants. You’re not left tired, out of gas, and stressed after everything is over. I find it hard to understand how Black Friday is still relevant today. It is not worth it to spend all night with people whose only care in the world is to get what they came in the store for. There are too many opportunities that do not involve this savage mentality. Ignoring the fact that black friday only plays on consumer mentality and proves year after year how materialistic humans really are. People continuously put material items over the lives of the people around them. They stop caring about who they may hurt or the people trying to help them. Black Friday is toxic and Cyber Monday is a much better solution.

I am grateful for the people in my life who have lifted me up. I am no stronger than the people who have taken care of me. Without some very key people, my life would be very different and significantly worse. I'm thankful for my brother for turning me into something of a mother. He thawed me out from the inside. He's taught me empathy and how to care for others. I appreciate him for being grateful for me. I'm grateful for my father. He was the smartest person I ever knew and I wanted to be JUST like him. I wanted to be the smartest person I could be. I challenge him constantly. He has persuaded me to work hard in my classes and be the best me I can be. He's been a guiding light in my life. Lastly, I'm thankful for my boyfriend. For listening to me when I needed it. For taking what I had to say and telling me it's valid. For picking me up when I needed it. I don't know where I would be without these people. I don't like to imagine a world without them.

Our 45th President

Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States. I woke up to this news on Wednesday the 9th after staying up as late as I could following where the electoral votes were falling. The only thing I felt was pure dread. Partly because all the people in my school would be overjoyed and would not hesitate to state their opinion, but also because of what our nation could become with 3 republican- controlled branches of government. Trump has a short temper and is very determined to get what he wants. Some of his views are extreme and hurtful to many people. This is not the kind of person we want to appoint president and then create a senate, house and supreme court all controlled by people who will not tell him no. No matter what president we have a system without checks and balances can not produce good. Adding on top of this Trump's extremist nature is a recipe for disaster. Half of my lifetime and the majority of what I can remember was spent with Barack Obama as our president. I don't know if this election scares me because of the idea of change and venturing into the unknown or if it's due to the claims by Trump, United States citizens and foreign nations. This is the first election I've followed closely and formed my own opinion on and the candidates were nothing like I expected. This election was nothing like I could have ever imagined. Most of it seemed like a joke and it all seemed very far away. This decision put a wrench in that and this new reality came as a slap in the face. I don't really know how to feel about any of this. Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States and I don't think I, or many other citizens have accepted that fact yet. The shock will wear off soon and hopefully Donald Trump proves he is the best thing for this country right now. I'm looking forward to see how it turns out.