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Overall, I think advertising affects my life, but definetely not to the extent of impacting my decisions as an individual. However, there are those few occasions where a good movie ad, or a good ad for a clothing line, or an ad for a restaurant has inspired me to do certain things. Like the movie ads for the Death Note movies, they way there were edited and the bits they chose to show, gave me an adrenaline rush and a sudden need to go to a movie theatre in Japan. An ad that makes me want to travel halfway around the world and learn a new language seems pretty good to me. Other instances include looking at product ads for clothes and accessories in magazines such as Seventeen and Marie Claire inspire me to add certain things to my wardrobe. I, however, unlike some teens, do consider cost and the acutal need to buy such item. Yet, my individuality is created out of ads. Movies I like, clothes I like, store that I shop at, the type of foods I go for, the brands I know...it all leads back to, in my own opinion, effective advertising.

Yes, companies may spend billions upon billions of dollars on ads attempting to influence the public to buy their products. However, I don't know anyone my age who is throughly driven by advertising. But, I cannot deny that people's choices, however subconcious, are made because of advertising. For people can only make choices, based on what they know and experience. Thus, as many of my friends are bombarded by advertisments everywhere they go, including school, choices will be made on those advertisments. It's like how a lot of political candidates get by, on name recognition. I think I am just as influeced by advertisment just like everyone else I know.

No, I don't consider myself materialistic, because I don't need material things to be happy. Yes, I do admit to shopping to feel better, but overall my priorities for happiness are with good happy moments. Such as being with friends and family, or feeling achievement from hard work. However, good advertising and seeing friends own certain does increase my desire sometimes to own things. But, I'm pretty good at making compromises with myself and understanding that some things I can just live without or wait until a sale comes around. With a great amount of self-control, resisting the urges that come from advertising is possible.

I have several conflicting opinions on what should be and most definetely should not be used in advertisments. First of all, let's adress the Lipitor advertisments that feature Dr. Robert Jarvik as their "celebirty endorser". On behalf of the producers, they can use whoever and do whatever they want in order to market their product. That's how you play the economy. That's business; period. Here, in this example, the public must take responsiblity of making sure they don't just request a certain prescription from their doctor just because a) they saw an ad on television, 2) some famous guy (who's not even a licensed doctor) uses it and is promoting, and 3) the Pfizer company is telling you to buy it. Now, THAT is stupid. All that I see being done here is a company straightfowardly marketing a product in attempting to make a profit, which they have every right to do. Helping people become healthier is just a bonus. It is up to one's doctor to help their patient make the best decision possible for their health, whether is involves Lipitor or not.





However, in the case of the Abercrombie and Fitch ads, there should be a couple producers out there taking some responsibility...or at least get a few punches in the head for morality and smart decision making. To display obscene photographs, aka half naked young men and a mostly naked woman, in a public mall is very irresponsible. Yes, sex may sell, but it must be for the right consumers. Stores like Abercrombie and Fitch attract customers who are young in age and should not be exposed to this type of advertisment yet. What is annoying is that people complain how the new generation is more promiscuous and lack proper etiquette, well then how are they supposed to follow good example when there are none? Advertisment anywhere has the power to make people get an idea of a twisted reality. People, usually don't strip down in random meadows without the influences of alcohol at least, so what kind of "real" concept is this? Furthermore, shouldn't Abercrombie and Fitch be attempting to sell clothes?!?!!??! How are they doing this, when their ads show people half naked? They are setting social standards, not marketing goods and this is completely unacceptable.

Media is a basic tool, but a very powerful one. An example of its power can be seen in a Virginia student's decision to post a message left on his cell phone by a Fairfax County public school administor's wife. Senior Devaj "Dave" S. Kori, left a message at Dean Tistadt's personal home number after a snowfall asking why schools had not closed. Later, Dean Tistadt's wife left a message on his cell phone in which she uttered, "snotty-nosed little brats" and said " Get over it, kid, and go to school!" Kori then took Tistadt's message and posted an adutio link on a Facebook page and the message was posted on Youtube. What is important to understand here, is that the interent is a interesting, yet powerful way for teenagers and young adults, who know how to work this technology, to express their First Amendment rights of freedom of speech. Personally, I feel there is nothing wrong with expressing personal opinions or other issues that should get media by starting a page on the internet.

Mrs. Tistadt's naivity comes from a geration gap on technology. What the world has to understand that, anything that is said or written, can no longer be private. Once it is on the internet, anyone, anywhere can have access to it. This is a new standard and expectation that people must get used to.

It is promising and inspring that common media can be used to get a story started on the interet on websites such as Facebook and Youtube, and become major national stories in papers such as The Wasthington Post and discussed on television on shows such as Good Morning America. This way, practically everyone can make a difference by merely knowing how to hit the Internet Explorer button.

Two weeks ago, November 15 and 17 was my debut as a small town actress. One of the most proudest nights of my life. Being able to prove something to my parents and I guess most importantly myself. And what's not more fun than starting as a bitchy, and as the reporter put it "shallow, scatterbrain" evil stepsister. For four years now, I've been trying to find an answer to the question of "Can I really be an actress? And not a stereotypical Asian scholar student?" And I guess I found the answer, but like Odysseus I can't seem to accept the great relalization. All I do know is that I felt incrediably happy that people I didn't even know came up to me and said I was really good and to continue with acting. And people recognizing me the next day and me being like whoa. they know who I am, from one night. It was amazing, if only they knew what I've struggled through.

It's like, hey, you can't put me down anymore. Now comes another test: singing, dancing, and acting into one. Can I do it? Right now I say, Maybe. we'll see.

As to my thank yous, I guess some credit goes to my family for grudingly taking me home from late practices. Most importantly to the Midnights Players for being the closest and bestest friends and for believing in me. And too my girls for sitting in the third row for supporting me and loving it and seeing me from the other side. All in all, it feels great to be the one on stage for a change.

Taste of Bethesda
October 6, 2007

It’s a sunny day in Bethesda. The streets are crowded with people, several people carrying or leading dogs on leashes. Babies in carriages, children running around with Haagen Dazs ice cream, and people of all ages walk up and down the four blocks in search for their next meal.

Now you may be asking me why a whole bunch of restaurants selling their most popular dishes on the sidewalks of the street and somewhat making a profit has to do with culture. Well, it is this display of all the different kinds of restaurants that remind us how American is really and literally a melting pot. The Passage to India stand smells strongly of spices while the California Tortilla stand smells of the sugary sweetness of fresh churros. While walking up and down Del Ray Avenue we passed two huge pans of paella, at Divinos and simmering in the heat. They had everything from smoothies, to Haagen Dazs ice cream. Papa John’s is selling their pizza down the street from the more polished (and a ticket more expensive) Mia’s Pizza. Even one of America’s most favorite dishes can be used as a metaphor to American society; the differences in the culture of the ordinary and the higher end in wealth status. Everything from burgers to steaks to seafood to ribs to paella to pizza to salads to ice cream, all the diverse food items, much like our diverse culture, could have been seen at the Taste of Bethesda.

There were not only food stands, but car dealerships and other business and groups had booths along the sidewalk. Seeing the number of cars put on display reminds me of how much American is dependent on these machines and they are a primary symbol of a life full of technology. There was also the police department who were handing out fliers about safety and neighborhood watch programs. Several other businesses advertised by setting up displays and handing out balloons to little children. Even on a Saturday, business and work is on the mind of Americans.

Several people took this festival as an opportunity to display their opinions for the 2008 presidential elections. A group of people supporting “Hilary Clinton 2008” signs had taken over the bench area in front of the St. Elmo stage. Stickers in support for Barack
Obama litter Norfolk Street in front of the McCormick and Schmick’s stand. In a silent way, I was reminded the power of the freedom of speech and the importance of democracy to many people.

Not just radio stations blasting music up and down the streets, there were four different stages with live acts. On the Fairmont Stage there was a group who sang popular songs a capella and an act called Jambulay sang African, Caribbean, and Cuban music. At the St. Elmo stage, people enjoyed a Latin orchestra and James Brazen Big Band which played classical jazz pieces. Younger audiences rocked out at the Cordell stage where Signature Live! And GHz played remakes of popular songs of today. Among the various acts on the Norfolk Stage there were dancers from Malaysia and Southern Asia and couples demonstrating classic ballroom dances. These different acts once again show the diversity in American culture and the audiences show that Americans are pretty much open to different types of culture.

Regardless of age, ethnicity, political affiliation; people of all types came out to enjoy a wonderful diverse day at the Taste of Bethesda. Myself being one of them.