Hello, my name is Lauren.

*NOTE: For more information on the reading and prompt that inspired this essay please click here.

Tension.

Awkward pauses.

Nervous laughter.

This is what I would always find myself going through whenever I talked to someone who I viewed as superior. I spent my adolescent life waiting for the day I would finally turn 21, so that I would no longer be plagued with my problem of talking with adults. I thought that since I was legally an adult myself, I would be able to view myself on equal footing with everyone, and be able to comfortably and confidently communicate with other adults. However, as you probably have already predicted, just because society had deemed me mature enough to buy alcohol doesn’t mean that I had changed magically overnight as a person. I continued to be unable to fully feel comfortable within my own skin whenever speaking to an adult.

My challenge stems from the fact that when growing up, anyone older than me automatically demanded respect. I grew up with the idea that being younger meant that I could never challenge the ideas or acts of those older than me. To my surprise, after I entered college, I was encouraged to openly critique and push the ideas of those around me, regardless of age. This was a foreign concept to me, and I always shied away from these types of discussions because I was afraid to confidently stand behind my own ideas in front of those who I thought were much wiser and knowledgeable than me. As I became more involved on campus, I found myself needing to interact with those older than me in order to execute my job and responsibilities. In these instances, I would attempt to be as efficient and polite as possible, with no room for any conversation that did not pertain to business. Thus, I took upon the challenge to not just speak to those older than me, but also to let my personality show rather than holding back and presenting myself as that polite yet forgettable student. I did this by letting down my barriers and showing the bubbly and confident person I felt that I’ve become to be.

The first step was for me to change my perspective of adults. Just because someone was older than me in age, doesn’t automatically mean that they didn’t have anything left to learn from me. I tried to start small and begin viewing the adults I come to interact with as if they were only a few years older in order to make me feel less stiff around them. I couldn’t see them as peers, but viewing those older than me as mentors rather than authoritative leaders with absolute control allowed me to begin opening up my shell. I was able to smile openly and create small talk when before it was a struggle to even break out of my stiff demeanor. Before I knew it, I was able to laugh and even banter lightly with the adults I saw on a regular basis. My efforts to change struck me when I was having a staff dinner with the director of the department in which I work for. I have never spoken to him beyond superficial small talk about the crazy weather and work but during that dinner, I learned more about him (and I’m sure him about me) than I had throughout the two years I’ve known him. What struck me was the fact that with my initial shift in perspective brought about a smooth transition to finally being able to show my personality in front of adults. I am proud of the person I’ve become, and I finally realized that I wanted to depict my true self to all those I come to contact with.

The results of my self challenge went beyond what I anticipated. I had originally used this challenge as a means to generally become more comfortable with those around me. What I experienced instead was an increase in confidence and appreciation for the person I have become. By this point in my life, I knew what my strengths and skills are, but I had never depicted my personality to those outside of my circle of friends. I strayed away from showing the person I was underneath the professional exterior in fear that the others will see me as irritating or unprofessional. Through this challenge, I found that I could be validated for the work I did and the positive influence I had on others,  not from just my co-workers, but from people outside of the spaces I was a part of. In opening myself, other people in return opened up to me, letting me get an inside look of who they were. It’s a risk to show your true personality to those around you, but the rewards and the insight you receive in return is priceless. I learned that confidence doesn’t come from aging, but from embracing and loving the person who you are and not being afraid to show those around you. 

Post submitted by Lauren

Thursday Take-Off: Where is your home away from home here at UCLA?

My parents live almost 3 hours away from me and although it may not seem too far, it is hard for me to visit and I’ve felt rather homesick lately. Yet even though I may not be near my loved ones I’m very fortunate to say that I’ve made really great friendships here at UCLA  and have places where I feel at home. I think it’s important to find a home away from home (whether that be on campus, in a student group, at your job, in your apartment with your roommates, or maybe even in your dorm) because we all need a space where we can be ourselves, somewhere we can be listened to and understood.

While many of us are learning and maybe even striving to be independent, I believe that it’s important to create a home wherever you are because college can be a very stressful experience and we shouldn’t do it alone. We should make the most of our college experience and find those people who will push us and make sure we accomplish our goals, together. So, where is your home away from home? Would you like to have a home away from home here on campus? And if so, what will you do to create or find that space for YOU?

Posted by: Alexandra Barba

Free Speech Fridays: No arms, No Legs, NO WORRIES!

When I first watched this video I couldn’t help but cry because I was so touched by the message Nick Vujicic leaves us with. Nick reminds us that it can be easy to forget what we do have because sometimes we become so focused, almost obsessed, with what we don’t have. At the age of 8, Nick had already determined his future and was unable to see how valuable his life was. What makes Nick’s story so inspiring is the fact that he was able to face the reality of his condition and rather than being miserable and bitter about his life, he found it much more important to enjoy being alive. Although he faces challenges that many of us wouldn’t even fathom as being a challenge, he continues to stay optimistic and as he mentions, “smiles so much”. I think it’s beautiful that Nick leaves us with this message and tries to share this message with young students so they too can recognize the importance of just being grateful for what life does give us. Yes you may not have what that other person has, but what do you have that you take for granted?

Finals week is a few days away and if you are anything like me, you are probably saying things like “Jeeeez! I wish I didn’t have to take these finals” or even “Gosh I wish I was someone else right now!”  BUT, after seeing this video I recognize that I should be grateful for just being a UCLA student and having an opportunity to make my future much better than what my parents were able to offer me. Growing up I didn’t have my own room and I was utterly ashamed to tell my friends that my bed was the couch. It took me a very long time, actually not until my senior year of high school when I began to apply for college, to realize how wrong I had been for being ashamed of my reality. I was ashamed for what I didn’t have, but I was never grateful for what my parents were able to provide me with. I had never thanked them for giving me some of the important things in life, which is love, motivation, and a roof over my head for 18 years of my life. Not many people can say that they have parents who love and push them to try their hardest, or even say that they have homes or parents at all, and because of my obsession over what I didn’t have, I was blind to the things God had given me.

I know that if it hadn’t been for the struggles I faced as a child I would have never been the student I was and I would not be writing this post as a UCLA student. Sometimes it’s through our struggles, and the things we don’t have, that we find the strength to pursue even greater things. I think this is the message that Nick Vuicic wants us to understand. So, although you may be frustrated over a certain situation you may be in, or complain over something you don’t or can’t have, I challenge you to reflect on your blessings. Also, think of the moments where you may have not obtained what you wanted , but were able to gain something else, like a lesson or a different, but equally positive, opportunity. Had Nick let his disability stop him from enjoying life, he would have never learned to do all the things we see him do today, like swim, play golf, and even get married! Maybe if we stop dwelling in our own challenges, we can find different ways to overcome them and gain something that we would have NEVER thought otherwise!

Post By: Alexandra Barba 

Tuesday Title: Gods Go Begging

Book description from Amazon:

“Gods Go Begging by Alfredo Vea will stick in this brain for good, in the best possible way. I almost didn’t purchase this novel because of the book jacket-a picture of the back view of a solitary guitar/rifle/gas mask toting soldier in half regalia standing on what looks like an airport runway, a small bag with a Vietnam insignia resting by his boot. I assumed a story predominantly about war in the conventional sense. Could not have been more mistaken.

There are at least four wars being *raged* here among these taut and yet simultaneously lovely pages, all framed within rich language and insightful narrative.

Jesse Pasadoble is a defense attorney in San Francisco waging a war against the stupidity of the typical clients and prejudice in the courtroom. He is joined frequently in the courtroom, in the cafe, and in his daily life by others who share their recollections both of darkly humorous cases and the unacceptable unmentionable dark sides which eventually seal off all human beings from one another.

After a crime of tragedic proportions occurs, Jesse’s story and that of the victims and the perpetrators, here and now, plus the unmanageable then on another hill in Vietnam thirty years ago, unfold. What follows comprises an incredible novel of pain and waste, devastation and redemption, caring and investigation, revealed by passionate observation of the lunacy of existence through careful, perfect words.. But, and this is a big *but*, the novel flows like silk through the counterpoints of love, ultimate sadness, and intense meaning.

This is a modern day lawyer, detective story which encompasses inner city bleakness, evil, post traumatic shock syndrome, our *lovely* court system, the inability to share ourselves while our very core cries out to do just so, and a sense that metaphysical, mystical reality is just as real as beans.

My bottom line is that while the ideas and emotion rage rampant, the narrative is superb, nearly perfect. What a terrific story. I think it is very, very big in heart and scope, possessing a duality of the mundane and the metaphysical which meld perfectly for the reader, especially toward the conclusion of the novel.

I always yearn for the elusive words which are not forthcoming, those orbs needed for adequate expression, but inchoate, they are yet imbedded in the soul of this reader. Accused of hyperbole, so be it. This is one fine book.”

Post submitted by: Christina Trieu

The Power of Vulnerability

For this development we were asked to watch a video which showcased a researcher named Brene Brown. Brene Brown gives a presentation on what it means to be vulnerable and the societal and individual implications of vulnerability.

Brown highlighted the idea that we as human beings are driven by connection. In other words, we all seek to make connections with other people, whether it is on a personal or professional level. The process of making connections is what gives us purpose in life. So what drives our abilities to make these connections and what unravels them? This is where the idea of vulnerability comes in. From what I gathered from listening to Brown’s words is that we need to have a sense of love and belonging in order to build connections. The only way that this is possible is by allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and more importantly by believing in our own worthiness. People who have a strong sense of love and belonging believe that they are worthy of that belonging and connection. However, people who do not have a strong sense of love and belonging feel unworthy, which in turn leads to a feeling of shame exemplified by their “I’m not ____ enough” mentality.

I feel like I could personally identify with some of the ideas introduced in this video. One line that particularly resonated with me is when Brown said “you can not selectively numb emotion”.  It again goes back to the idea of vulnerability. We all numb vulnerability because we want to appear strong and protect ourselves from being hurt.  But what we probably do not realize is that when we numb vulnerability we are numbing every other emotion as well; we are slowly blocking our ability to love, be happy, be remorseful, be proud, everything.  I know this is something that I have been guilty of for most of my life. When my father passed away, I shut off all feeling. I did not want to let my guard down and be vulnerable because I knew that all my emotions would come rushing out, and I did not know how to handle it. I could not bring myself to be happy because I felt guilty and undeserving of happiness. I slowly began to realize that by shutting down I was disconnecting myself from everyone around me.  So I sought solace in loved ones and now, after a long journey of self-discovery, I am finally able to allow myself to be vulnerable. Thus, I can honestly say that I feel more complete and happy now more than ever.

The overall message that I took away from Brown’s presentation that I would like to impart upon you all is that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. You do not have to like it but you must recognize that vulnerability is necessary. The sooner that realization is made, the better off you will be.

To here the wisdom of Brene Brown click here

Post Submitted by Jadessa

Love to Live and Live to Love: My Reflection on WSP

Dear Incoming 2012-2013 WSP Staff,

First I wanted to congratulate you on being selected to work for one of the finest writing programs present on UCLA’s campus.  The Writing Success Program is not just a place of work; rather, it is a home, a safe place, and a location where much growth takes place.  You will see growth in your students, your fellow staff members, your Director, and within yourself.  You are about to be a part of something extraordinary in this upcoming year.

As the first ever ESL/ELL Writing Counselor (and WSP staff member for 2 consecutive years), I have learned a lot about how UCLA students function, how they view themselves, and how insecure many of them are about their writing.  As a staff member, it is your duty to help provide students with the necessary tools to write more effectively, efficiently, and clearly all while maintaining their individual voice.  How is it possible to achieve all four of these separate yet related goals? It requires faith.  Faith in the writing process (from the beginning brainstorming stages to the final revision stages), faith in your students, and faith in your abilities as a counselor—these are all tiny aspects of the faith you will be exerting this upcoming year as you strive to be impactful and motivating counselors (as I hope you all have the desire to become or already are).

For those of you who will be the Administrative Assistant or Assistant Director, I commend you for your belief in the writing process and your belief in our program.  With your support, organizational abilities, and dedication to the more “behind the scenes assistance” and “nitty-gritty details” of WSP, you will make an imprint on students not just in 2012-2013, but also those of future academic years. I encourage you to be open to growth as well and always remember that your primary role is to be the oil of the team, the one who keeps WSP going by being supportive, keeping others accountable, and helping the Director stay organized.  You all rock!

These past two years have been quite beautiful but also quite challenging.  I have witnessed a significant growth in our program as we served more ESL/ELL, Transfer, Freshmen, and other non-traditional/traditional students than ever before: we surpassed all of our objectives each quarter this year and even had waiting lists with people who we, sadly, did not have the capacity to meet with.  I’ve seen the role of the ESL/ELL Counselor develop tremendously and am sad yet happy to let our new counselor have the reigns.  I was a part of the 10-year anniversary of WSP’s birth. I became a mom and anticipate the birth of my son any day now, and I celebrated the birth of our other counselor (Miqi)’s son Zipo.  I also experienced moments of frustration when some students would no-show me or other counselors, or when others would mistreat some of us. But those tiny specks of negativity do not surpass the plethora of positive, uplifting memories I have of WSP. I worked with students these past two years who will be graduating this Spring, and I am proud to see the huge strides they have made to improve their writing. I have not only worked with students on a professional level, but I have even made friends with some of my students, friends who will hopefully last a lifetime.  I will always cherish the blessings WSP gave me.

I leave you all with one small piece of advice: love.  Learn to love what you do in your academics, your job, your extra-curricular activities, your personal life, and your spiritual life. Learn to love people even when they seem un-loveable.  Learn to love writing in a new way than you already do, or learn to love it for the first time.  Learn to show love to your students and teach them how to love their writing and themselves.  But most importantly, learn how to love life.  Learn to dwell on the beautiful aspects of your journey rather than drown in the obstacles and trying moments that make life seem unfair.  All of these things will probably take you the rest of your life here on Earth to accomplish, but start today.

With that being said, I love you all.  Thank you for your passion and commitment to WSP.  May you be blessed in the upcoming year with strength, confidence, and growth individually and collectively.

Here’s to the birth of a successful, memorable, and enjoyable summer and academic year!

 

With love and compassion,

 Casey O’Neill

ESL/ELL Writing Counselor 2010-2012

American Cultural Literacy: “The course of true love never did run smooth”

“The course of true love never did run smooth”

PROVERB

True love always encounters difficulties.  This proverb comes from the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare.

Tuesday Title: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice has always been one of those books that I could turn to when I want to cuddle up on the couch and have a good read. Jane Austen addresses issues that forces the reader to think deeper on the meaning of lifelong love and being true to yourself regardless of society’s perception of the norm. If you find yourself with some extra time at the beginning of the quarter, I definitely recommend this amazing classic!

Book description from Amazon.com

For over 150 years, Pride And Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen herself called this brilliant work her “own darling child.” Pride And Prejudice, the story of Mrs. Bennet’s attempts to marry off her five daughters is one of the best-loved and most enduring classics in English literature. Excitement fizzes through the Bennet household at Longbourn in Hertfordshire when young, eligible Mr. Charles Bingley rents the fine house nearby. He may have sisters, but he also has male friends, and one of these—the haughty, and even wealthier, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy—irks the vivacious Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the Bennet girls. She annoys him. Which is how we know they must one day marry. The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and Darcy is a splendid rendition of civilized sparring. As the characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, Jane Austen’s radiantly caustic wit and keen observation sparkle.

Post submitted by Lauren

American Cultural Literacy: “Love conquers all”

“Love conquers all”

PROVERB

Love overcomes all obstacles. This saying is found int he works of the ancient Roman poet Virgil.

Free Speech Fridays: Andrea Gibson’s “I Do”

This moving poem performed by poet Andrea Gibson forces us to think about the things we take for granted in life when it comes to love and marriage. I hope that our readers will take the time to open their mind to the world that others face just because some people refuse to accept a part of their identity.

 

Post submitted by Lauren

Wednesday Word: Technology as a Surrogate for Love

Technology, our mirror and jailer?

Occasionally, some major world event transpires and it is impossible to avoid hearing about it, multiple times per day, for days on end.  Such an event occurred last week with the introduction of a ‘new Facebook,’ which sparked tepid outrage on the internet.  The pervasiveness of such a change, propagated by the millions kvetching about it, once again raises questions about our attachment to technology and social media — reminding me of an article author Jonathan Franzen (The Corrections, Freedom) published earlier this year in the New York Times.  Franzen argues that consumer technology serves as a surrogate for love.  Phones and social networking sites are responsive to our desires, don’t ask for anything in return, and make our lives seem more interesting and sexy (e.g. “when they’re filtered through the sexy Facebook interface”).  This, of course, isn’t real love, but a facile imitation — it is ‘liking’ rather than loving.

So, when Facebook suddenly changes, without our consent, is the subsequent anger a result of a feeling of betrayal, as if one’s significant other went out and got a tattoo or quit his/her  job without consulting his/her partner?

Click here to read the whole thing!

Post submitted by Lee.

Thursday Take-Off: Self-Doubt

“When you fear others will judge you, are you already judging yourself?”

Tuesday Title: Rapture

Rapture is Carol Ann Duffy’s seventh collection of poetry centering primarily on personal accounts of love and euphoria. Her poems, many of which are entitled by a simple noun such as the poems Hand, Rain, and River, convey extremely relatable themes to the modern day lover and are unique because of their sheer yet impressive simplicity.  From passion to longing to infatuation to companionship, the poems found in Rapture tell of the many variations love may embody.  Winner of the 2005 T.S. Eliot Prize, Rapture surely deserves to be read by all those seeking to reconcile with love and those in search of a poet capable to materializing love in all its forms on paper.

Post submitted by: Crystal Maranan

Thursday Take Off: What wouldn’t you do for love?

This week’s Thursday Take Off is inspired by Meatloaf’s song “I would do anything for love.” In this catchy tune, the singer declares, of course, that “I would do anything for love” but qualifies this answer by saying “but I won’t do that.” While there is and has been debate on what “that” is actually referring to, the song brings up an interesting question: what wouldn’t you do for love?

The easy and instantaneous answer would be to say “nothing.” However, after thinking through the question there are several things that come to mind that most people would not do for love. Aids or sexually transmitted diseases in general are not something the average person would williningly contract, even for love. When pushed further others may not commit if there is no financial security or possibility of children in the future. Just think about the people you know who married someone because the other person provided financial comfort or because their biological window to have children was closing. Either way neither of those two reasons have the pursuit of love in mind. What happens when the person you love never wants to get married? Or if he or she wants to be in a multi-person relationship? What if your parents vehemently oppose the person you want to be with? Does it matter if he or she is especially physically unattractive? Are any of these concessions you would make in the name of love?

Fear not dear readers, love may not simply be a pie-in-the-sky concept. One only has to look at the pictures of these people who Time Magazine photographed to believe that love exists somewhere, somehow. When thinking about these questions and applying them to your daily lives it is important to consider that love takes partnership and sacrifice. Because it’s not a matter of who did what or how much you have given; at the end of the day it is just two people trying to find the same thing. It’s only a matter of if you can find it in each other.

“Love is sharing with one another. Don’t care what you have you share what you have. And be willing to give. Another thing I tell people now is that you have to be able to bend a little bit. Yes, love is a powerful thing. If you know what it means.”

-Theauther Love, Married to Annie Love for 50 years

Post Submitted by: Jesse Chiang

Thursday Take-Off: Valentine’s Day–Friend or Foe?

Since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to see if any journalists had written articles about Valentine’s Day. Sure enough, the first place I looked (Yahoo) had a Valentine’s Day article on the front page.

After reading the article, I realized that I had a lot of questions about the romantic holiday itself: Why is it important that guys treat women well on that day? Isn’t it just as important that the women display their affection as well? What implications do the holiday convey about our society? But most importantly, is Valentine’s Day a friend or a foe?

What do you guys think?

Also, what is your response to the article about the tips of what “not to do” on Valentine’s Day (article posted below)?

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/valentinesday/6-mistakes-men-make-on-valentines-day-2446085/

Post submitted by Casey O’Neill

Review: A Soothing, Powerful Melody: “With You” by Chris Brown

“WITH YOU” –Chris Brown

 

The lyrics for the song “With You” are posted below:

I need you boo, (oh)
I gotta see you boo (hey)
And the hearts all over the world tonight,
Said the hearts all over the world tonight [x2]

[Verse 1]
Hey! Little mama,
Ooh, you’re a stunner
Hot..little figure,
Yes, you’re a winner
And I’m so glad to be yours,
You’re a class all your own
And..
Oh, little cutie
When..you talk to me
I swear..the whole world stops
You’re my sweetheart
And I’m so glad that you are mine
You are one of a kind and..

[Bridge:]
You mean to me
What I mean to you and..
Together baby,
There is nothing we won’t do
’cause if I got you,
I don’t need money,
I don’t need cars,
Girl, you’re my heart.
And..

[Chorus:]
Oh!
I’m into you,
And girl,
No one else would do,
’cause with every kiss and every hug,
You make me fall in love,
And now I know I can’t be the only one,
I bet there heart’s all over the world tonight,
With the love of their life who feels..
What I feel when I’m

With you [x5]
Girl..
With you [x5]

[Verse 2]
Oh girl!
I don’t want nobody else,
Without you, there’s no one left then,
You’re like Jordans on Saturday,
I gotta have you and I cannot wait now,
Hey! Little shawty,
Say you care for me,
You know I care for you,
You know…that I’ll be true,
You know that I won’t lie,
You know that I would try,
To be your everything..yeah..

[Bridge:]
’cause if I got you,
I don’t need money,
I don’t need cars,
Girl, you’re my heart.
And..

[Chorus]

With you [x5]
Oh..
With you [x5]
Yeah Heh..

[Bridge 2]
And I..
Will never try to deny,
that you’re my whole life,
’cause if you ever let me go,
I would die..
So I won’t front,
I don’t need another woman,
I just need your all and nothing,
’cause if I got that,
Then I’ll be straight
Baby, you’re the best part of my needs

I need you boo,
I gotta see you boo
And the hearts all over the world tonight,
Said the hearts all over the world tonight [x2]
Woo Oh.. Yeah
They need it boo,
They gotta see their boo,
Said the hearts all over the world tonight,
Hearts all over the world tonight [x2]

[Chorus]

With you [x5]
Girl..
With you [x5]
Oh..

 

This song, in my opinion, is quite extraordinary. It fulfills a plethora of expectations: in terms of song quality, it is marvelous; in terms of lyrics, it is wonderful; in terms of therapeutic nature, it is satisfying; but most of all, it is romantic, which is of utmost importance in my book. The one area that could be improved, however, is the music video. The music video does not clearly represent the lyrics.

Let’s dive into the good characteristics of the song. First, the quality of the song. It is a classic Rhythm and Blues piece: there are aspects of Gospel, Jazz, and Country/Western embedded within it. Additionally, it is similar to Hip-Hop/Rap as it is geared toward the African American audience with Chris Brown being the key element to the song.  On a musical note (pardon the pun ), the song is vibrant and diverse; it has a catchy tune and beautiful melody.  It has the perfect mix of soft and “poppy” music: it is not too slow, and it is not “hard core” rap either.  I love the sound of the music.

Second, the lyrics. Oh my goodness! They are touching, sweet, and they reach a vast audience.  Anyone who is in love or has been through a phase of finding that person who makes them smile can relate to the lyrics.  The content of the song distinguishes Chris Brown from other artists of his nature: he talks about love at its most innocent form.  The best line is when he says, “So I won’t front, I don’t need another woman, I just need your all and nothing, cause if I got that, Then I’ll be straight Baby, you’re the best part of my needs” because it shows the depth of his feelings for the woman he is singing to.

Third, I want to talk about the therapeutic nature of song. Not only do the lyrics soften even the coldest of hearts, but the music itself is relaxing and soothing.  I feel at peace when I listen to this song in addition to being overwhelmed with a feeling joy and warmth. It is absolutely marvelous!

Lastly, I like how Chris Brown shows off his dance moves, but there is no visual representation of what he is saying.  There should be ONE girl that grabs his attention and keeps it. He is by himself in the whole video. Why?  And girls show an interest in him, but he doesn’t respond to their attention.  The moral of the song is that he is in love with one woman and that she completes him, so he should be illustrating that love throughout the music video.

I hope that other listener’s of Chris Brown’s “With You” appreciate the song as much as I do

Post submitted by: Casey O’Neill

Thursday Takeoff: No love for facebook?

So the above picture is a chart, taken directly from CNN, which tracks the end of relationships through facebook. As you can see on the graph the holidays where breakups usually occur is around Valentine’s Day and April Fool’s day. This graph also shows a spike in breakups on Mondays and during the Spring season.

While this graph is nowhere near scientific, it does pose interesting questions not only about love but about facebook as well. Here are my questions for this week’s Thursday Takeoff.

Do you find facebook to be a useful (or potentially) useful source of information? Or does the graph above only reflect the lack of relevant information on facebook?

What do you think about this graph that suggests break up patterns via facebook statuses? Are these trends you see? If so, why do you think people tend to break up during these times?

Regarding facebook and relationships, do you think that facebook is an effective way to establish different kinds of relationships (friendships, dating, etc.)?

 

Post Submitted by: Jesse Chiang