ONU Life Poem #8 "The Perfect Companions"

Who is or was your very best friend? Some of you might say a friend from high school or the person sitting next to you. You might also mention your roommate or maybe your neighbor. However, if you're more of an introvert, you might say your favorite character in the novel, TV show, comic, or manga you're reading is your best friend. Maybe the teddy bear from when you were a wee child is still your favorite. I'm not judging or anything. There are a few times where I wanted my favorite character from my favorite story to hang out. The point I am leading to is, would you ever consider an animal to be your best friend? Have you ever had a pet, or do you currently have a pet in your life that you have a strong bond with? In this department, I feel blessed to have the biggest group of friends someone could ever have.

Ever since I was a young one, I grew up surrounded by dogs and the occasional outdoor cat or two. Those dogs meant a lot to me, from our smallest dascund to our biggest lab mix. Then, when I was five, my father brought home two stray cats. I was quick to name them after my favorite characters on a show that was popular at that time. I am not going to say the show, so don't ask. However, these cats built the foundation for my early childhood. I knew that even if I could make friends out in the world, I could always lean on my cats and dogs. Despite my positive attitude, I soon realized that this relationship was only temporary. One after one, the dogs I had grown up with would eventually leave this Earth, peacefully and in a good home. Then, by some miracle, there were two new dogs in my house when I got home from school one spring day. I think it was second or third grade when my aunt found two dogs left on the highway and brought them to my house. They were treated well; however, before we could fix them, they had had two litters of puppies. As an eight or nine year old, I was thrilled. My parents, on the other hand, had nine puppies to give away. We kept one and another we gave to my grandparents. 

Throughout this new period, I felt pretty stable. I didn't really make it a goal of mine to make friends in school or life too much. I believe I was surrounded by creatures that cared for me, and I could care for them back. It felt our family kept growing, and while there were some losses, it just felt stable enough to continue to live a happy life. During the pandemic, when everyone was locked at home and freaking out, I enjoyed it for a short time before I went crazy myself. I was surrounded by loving friends, watching over me every day. However, after the pandemic began, a series of unfortunate events. Over five years, one of my pets passed on one after another. One was getting up in years, and another was ill. This includes this year, after one week of being back to campus following winter break. One of my cats, who had been with the family for seventeen years, had passed away. This came after the death of my grandfather, so I was not in a good state at the time. 

While some of you might see a pet as a trendy thing or a piece in the puzzle of a perfect family. You must look deeper as to why humans have pets in the first place. Pets were used by humans to guard homes at night, hunt for food during rough seasons, and, most importantly, provide comfort and support during serious hardships. Animals are living beings, too; they have souls like we do. If you don't believe me, then tell me why they show affection to one another and to humans if given the opportunity. Why do they protect their offspring from danger and support them as they mature? We mustn't go around thinking humans are the superior species all the time. Who would want to be associated with someone like that? All animals have a role on this planet; the cat who sleeps with you at night keeps you supported, and the dog who guards your home from intruders. Respect all life if you want it to respect you. Also, when it comes time for your perfect companion to pass on, don't treat their vessel like garbage. Respect it by either burial or cremation. Remember what they meant to you as you say your final goodbye; remember what they did for you and what you did for them. These are friends that had full trust in you to look out for them when they could have been left for dead. These innocent creatures, pure of soul, loved you. I hope you loved them too. You couldn't have asked for a better friend in this unique life of yours. As a final request, never stop making these friendships. If you can, adopt an animal from the shelter and give it a good home and all the love you have.

Born with the purest of souls

Animals shouldn't be treated as fouls

They may drive you insane

But there is still more love to gain

Even from a friend who steals your dinner rolls

Life is short, but not for thee

There are fewer days for a pet to see

Support and care for them

Never let the love become dim

You mean the world to them; never let that thought flee

Chapter 8 "Marketing with Pinterest"

The first thing I think of when Pinterest enters a conversation is pictures of random things that people like. I also think of recipes for fantastic holiday cookies or ideas for sports buffets. For some reason, advertising on Pinterest just jumped right over my head. It should have been obvious; it is a perfect site for companies to advertise their products. However, it looks much more complicated than just putting something on Facebook or Instagram. It looks like a game of "Find the Hidden Image" since most of Pinterest is images of cool or useless things. You can't really tell if you are looking at a regular image or something that will take you to a link to buy on the spot. Still, Chapter 8 does a great job of explaining how to use Pinterest as a tool for advertising and selling products.

However, the chapter kind of puts you to sleep because it goes over similar aspects that other social media companies use: Create a profile, describe your business, and post regularly. However, it was kind of a shocker when I realized this is only one of a few platforms that are popular on the weekends. Besides the similar setup, Pinterest seems to be a simple platform for uploading images, connecting with a similar audience, and growing your interests/hobbies. There isn't much information that you don't have to worry about ending up in the wrong hands unless you connect your credit cards to the program. It has unique functions that allow you to build pins and boards, finding things that interest your daily life. I can see why businesses find this platform very popular; it allows them to show their products in a way that may attract anyone. I also like the functions that allow you to search for something specific from one image, like a hat, for instance, and it will take you to popular sellers. 

Unlike other platforms, I find nothing wrong with Pinterest. Will I use it every day? Probably not. It's more attractive for women, not men. Still, it is something available for any audience and caters to all interests. It builds community and isn't flooded with many ads or negative comments. It is something that can build lives rather than be a nuisance. It is a medicine for your curious soul, but take too much, and you'll either be addicted or sick of the platform. I'll leave off by saying that Pinterest is good for an emergency when you need a good recipe for an event, you need a new couch, you need to know how to take care of a tropical plant, need a positive picture in your life, or you need to know how to build a great landscape in your yard. Pinterest is a great tool and has my seal of approval. 

ONU Life Poem #8 "Rain, Rain, Never Go Away"

What do you think of when it is raining outside or a storm is coming over the horizon? Most of you think of a perfect day ruined by Old Mother Nature. Others may think about bringing in some of the patio furniture. However, I see rain more than that. I can agree that rain may ruin a nice day outside or dampen your nice clothes when traveling from place to place. Still, rain is a very important and symbolic aspect of nature. First of all, rain supplies life with fresh water for species to grow and live. We need it, animals need it, and plants need it. If the Earth itself was a living being, the rain and all the water in it would be the blood that continues to supply its functions with nutrients for survival. We must not take for granted the rain that gives us the ability to survive in the area we live in. While we have an abundance of rain most months of the year, other areas are less fortunate. 

My second reason why rain is important is that it provides an area of peace and relaxation. I'm not saying that standing out in the rain is a good idea to become relaxed. There is the possibility of catching a cold, so at least bring a good raincoat and umbrella. Still, imagine yourself transported to another less familiar world. I recommended sitting out in a garage with the door open or an outdoor patio with a roof, turning on some relaxing music, and just closing your eyes. Make sure you're alone and in a safe area, too. When the environment is right, just relax and imagine yourself in another world of your design. It is almost the same feeling as taking a long shower, but in this manner, you are not getting wet or wasting water. Nature always provides free entertainment and relaxation. No need to waste money on some fancy streaming service or have to pay some high water bill. Even then, if you constantly do something over and over, the exhilaration just dies off. When it comes to rain, it's almost unpredictable. It is a new experience every time. Sometimes there is a thunderstorm, providing calm rolls of thunder in the background. Sometimes there's a gentle breeze, blowing some cool water in your face. That would be especially good in the hot summer heat. However, if the rain becomes too intense, retreat back inside and just turn off all devices and listen to the power of nature. No matter how strong humanity gets, nature will always be one level higher. 

Rain is something that shouldn't be hated or annoyed. The gift from the heavens should be celebrated and appreciated. Remember, living in Ohio, were are some of the lucky ones who can enjoy the rain year-round. Others would literally kill or move to have as much rain as we do. Rain can be a helpful tool to relax, just the sound of nature can help take you away from your troubles temporarily. It can provide a unique and tranquil rhythm that humanity only wishes to control. Next time it rains, just find time to sit down and relax. Appreciate nature's wonderful gift.

Never look down on the rain

For it can heel your internal pain

Respect this gift from the sky

It provides more help than you could buy

It will take all your sorrows down the drain

Rain is just more than falling water

It provides comfort almost like a plush otter

However, it is free

There is no tax or fee

It brings eternal joy, like either son or daughter

Chapter 7 "Marketing with Snapchat"

Snapchat is something that I'm not very familiar with. However, while reading Chapter 7, it is rather easy compared to the other platforms discussed in this book. Still, when it comes to marketing, I have a hard time seeing how Snapchat can be effective in that area. It seems that this platform is meant to be a way for people to post goofy pictures of themselves, talk to friends, and connect with popular trends for a short period. This chapter does provide good points on how Snapchat can be very effective in regards to marketing products to a wide audience.

The chapter begins by stating that Snapchat is relatively one of the lowest platforms used, nevertheless, in the top 10 platforms used constantly by people in some of the most populous countries. India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States for example. The chapter also gives specific times one should post on the platform as well, explaining that weekends (except Sundays) are most effective. The chapter goes on to discuss how Snapchat works, similar to the other platforms. Create a profile by downloading the app, typing in critical information that matches your company, and updating your app so your posts "snaps" are in the public domain. The part of the chapter that was brief, but interesting, was the portion about the founding of Snapchat. How it was originally called Peekaboo, how the ghost became the mascot, and that only one of the original founders remains at the company. History does tickle my fancy quite a bit. 

Now for the boring portion, how the app works. If you know me by now, I don't really care about social media and find it annoying and boring. Furthermore, while it may look easy, there are still complex components to it that still leave me confused and irritated. I prefer to stick with the ones I'm familiar with and ignore the others. However, being in a marketing class, I can't ignore the others until the end of the semester, so here we are. Despite my complaints, I can that the functions of Snapchat are quite simple and straightforward. There are multiple camera functions, filters, mapping tools, and chat. While some may be a rip off of other platforms, like Instagram with stories. There is something unique about this platform that makes it enticing almost. The chapter then goes on to discuss the many types of posts, like Spotlight, Cameos, games, and shopping. Then the utilization of artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Snapchat has accepted our new future and implemented it in a way that benefits the app. 

My final opinion of this chapter is that it laid out pretty good information about marketing with Snapchat. It is a well-known platform, used by millions in the United States and around the world. It is simple compared to other platforms and marketing with it turns into something fun rather than constant, emotionless ads that pop up. Irritating you to sign up or buy something on the spot. Snapchat, in my opinion, is one of the more positive cases of marketing on a social media platform. Despite its strange ways of going about business with its filters and functions. It has a bright future and can stand against the others that continue to threaten its existence. 

ONU Life Poem #8 "World of Languages"

How many of you know a second language? When it comes to me, I know quite a few. I'm not confident that I'm fluent, but I do have a good understanding of several languages. I know Spanish, French, Scottish Gaelic, and Welsh, and I have begun learning Romanian as a hobby. There is still quite a lot more I need to learn from these languages, but I believe one day that I will be able to have a full conversation without having to look up the meaning or pronunciation of the words. Hey, I even have trouble with English sometimes; just look at my blog grades. I'm bound to mess up with proper grammar techniques; I wouldn't doubt that. Besides that,  I love to understand new cultures; it's an important way of connecting with the great world around us. Like many of our parents taught us, we can't continuously live in our own world. We must be able to expand, gather new knowledge, and have our own unique experiences in life. While learning a new language may not be at the top of your bucket list, it is just one of the things you can try to better your understanding of the world. 

My experience with learning a new language starts back with one of my grandparents. My grandfather came from a Spanish-speaking background, and I picked up a few of his phrases from time to time. Especially when my mother used them as more authoritative commands. "Te sientas aqui" or "te alimentas los gatos" were some of the commands I heard. Instead of resenting them, like most children would when having to deal with the commands of their parents. I found them to be quite interesting and wanted to know more about my family roots, not just the Spanish side. I learned that I was part Welsh, Mexican, Native American, and, like most people in Northwest Ohio, German. I was curious about these cultures, buying textbooks and listening to my favorite songs in other languages. In my opinion, some of the songs were great, but some sounded like a goat yelling into a camera. No offense to the languages; I just wasn't used to hearing my favorite song in that style.

 I expanded to other languages that I had no connection to, like French, Scottish, and Hawaiian. I found their languages unique and their cultures fascinating. When I was in high school, I had a Spanish teacher who continued my pursuit of other languages. She was kind of odd and scary, well, to an introvert who feared extroverted people. Still, she opened my eyes to other cultures. In a way, I began to learn French at the same time as Spanish because of her influence. Over time, I picked up a few more and have given up on some because of their difficulty. Still, they haven't given up on others nd continue to practice every day. I'm glad to have a close friend who continues to pressure me to continue to learn. She is learning Japanese, and from what I hear, it's a difficult language to learn. Still, she does her best every day, and I continue to support her. In my eyes, she is a super genius who won't stop at anything until she completes something. That encourages me to continue my journey as well. 

As I close this blog, remember that the world is a big place. I know that in the majority of my personal blogs, I talk about building a connection to nature. Still, we must remember that nature includes the people around us as well. In part, that includes their cultures and ways of life. To connect to the world, we must understand all ways of life. Again, you don't have to learn another language; you just have to be aware that it exists and understand its significance. The world and the universe are big places, and we need to recognize that we are all unique. Everything we do may look small and insignificant, but it exists for a reason. We must cherish it and find our place in it. 

Every time I hear of France

All I want to do is sing and dance

Their culture is plentiful

The food and songs are wonderful

It is necessary to give every culture a chance

When I think of the Earth

I'm thankful for my birth

The cultures that thrive

The people that are alive

Give this planet its worth 

PS: Try Duolingo

Chapter 6 "Marketing with Twitter"

 

As a simple disclaimer, I will refer to X as Twitter because of my personal beliefs. 

As a tool for marketing, Twitter doesn't really jump to mind as an effective tool. It has a wide reach around the world, being the tool of many influential people and companies to spread the word of something new. However, it doesn't really jump to the front of mind when discussing advertising. Regardless, I can see the potential it has for expanding marketing practices, whether it be advertising or selling items on the platform. Chapter 6, in my opinion, explains Twitter very well regarding its upbringing and current state. At one time, it seemed to be a very respectable platform with its ups and downs, adaptability, and its uniqueness from other platforms. In light of recent events, Twitter has gone down in popularity and usability because of who runs it and the radical changes happening almost all at once. While some changes may be beneficial, like the verification settings. Still, it has evolved into something of a disaster, with many bugs and complicated functions, deterring many from using the platform. 

Regardless of its failings, the chapter does its best to highlight the many functions for businesses on the ever-evolving platform. It does a great job in explaining how to set up a profile, laying out what is needed like full name, short bio, picture, hashtags, and emojis. It explains what makes a good profile and page, like how pins work and the media gallery. It also explained what Premiums are, which I found reasonable. The prices might be a little extreme in some cases, but I can see it being useful to protect one's image on a social media site. Also, having special ones for government and organizations as well. Then it goes on to discuss the basics of a post, which was kind of boring since most posts are similar no matter what platform you're on. The chapter brought up Algorithms, which I didn't understand very well, though anything data related tends to throw me off. I'm not a genius in math or statistics. Finally, the chapter gives the other aspects of Twitter, like the shopping and bidding functions. Something I didn't know about the platform was its ability to shop on, only promotions of items were the only thing I was familiar with. Even that, I can't see Twitter being a marketing platform.

Despite my attitude towards the modern Twitter, I can see the benefits it has when marketing is involved. It has many functions that are quite valuable for a business to reach a large audience. Still, I will never touch the platform as long as I live until something changes. 

ONU Life Poem #7 "Time to Breathe"

Can you believe it is week seven already! This means this semester is half over and it's time for midterms. This might be exciting for some, but most of you probably will be groaning into spring break. Still, there are ways to make this enormous pressure to go away. Even if it is for a short period. 

One way to take your mind off of impending exams is to go outside and take a walk around the campus, even the Green Monster. Still, I highly recommend a warm jacket because it is still very cold outside. Still, taking a walk can take your mind off of the troubles of your life. It can distract you safely and healthily, that doesn't require a lot of screen time or those endless complaints from your best friend. Even when you do go on a walk, play some music while you walk. It can be any music that makes you feel "out of this world." That puts some imagination in your mind and makes you feel excited for life. Look at the lives of the animals around you. Imagine yourself as a squirrel, a duck, a cardinal, or a rabbit. Imagine yourself free and alive, not just a robot stuck to your computer all day. If you do feel lonely, invite a friend and just talk about life. I recommend that you don't talk about school work, because thinking about that will only bring back the pressure of the exams or homework due. 

Still, if you want to spend a longer time outside but don't want to walk. I recommend you take a pen or pencil with a notebook, and just draw anything that you want. Almost similar to listening to music, let your mind lose with the sounds of nature around you. Draw the squirrels, the chipmunks, and the birds around you. Depending on the day, draw the clouds, the sun, or a plane flying past. One experience that I should share is going out at night, a clear night when there are no clouds in the sky. The moon at its fullest and the stars millions of miles away. Turn on music and just walk or relax, basking in the wonderful creation around you. Just take a breath, nature will fill your mind with imagination and freedom. It will make you at peace with the stresses of exams and reward you with a week of freedom. Good Luck with any exams/tests you have during the week. Have a great spring break and safe travels. 

Stress is in my mind

Never goes away, making my spirit blind

However, when I go for a walk

The stress has no room to talk

Now, I feel free and can leave the pains behind

The peace, nature provides

Is as constant as ocean tides

As calm as the wind and rain

Forever loving, so I don't complain

In life, nature will always be my guide