Miss Representation

Miss Representation was a well filmed and supported documentary that called to mind the stereotypes and poor representation of women and girls in the media. Everyone from female movie stars to politicians to young girls are effected by this. In the work place women must work twice as hard to be given half the credit as men and are still paid less for the same jobs. Women in power are perceived as power crazy and selfish while men are ambitious. These labels exhibit the growing gender roles that have emerged from the media's portrayal of women. 
In the article "Little women: How consumer culture is forcing girls to grow up too fast" the media's portrayal of girls as sexual is discussed. Yes, girls clothing is becoming much more sexual for younger and younger generation, but that does not mean girls have to become sexual. I disagree with this article.  If parents help girls understand this new culture properly there should not be a problem. As long as the girls can use their heads watching Glee or having a Facebook should not be a problem. By not allowing them to see or participate in these things they only become removed from their generation and then cannot think for themselves in difficult situations. 
In my opinion one of the biggest steps the female population needs to take is to stop tearing one another down. If females are mean to other females men think it is okay to treat women that way. I always think of the movie Mean Girls when Tina Fey tells the high school girls that they have to stop calling one another names, or boys will call them names. Women and girls have to stick together cause men certainly will not stand up for us. United we stand divided we fall. 

Vocation

In Parker Plamer's Let Your Life Speak and in Fr. Jim Martin's reflection they both focus on their growing understanding of vocation. Both authors begin with how they were taught about vocation when they were younger. They were taught that some vocations were more important than others such as the religious life; however when they became older they found a new understanding. Parker Palmer came to understand vocation as more of self acceptance and fulfilling ones full potential. Fr. Martian came to see that all vocations are important and everyone is called to do something different and unique to them. 
To me, vocation means being ones truest self. Being the person God has made you to be. It does not necessarily have to do with an occupation or being a lay person or a religious. It encompasses all aspects of ones life. From how one interacts with others to using ones talents. Knowing ones strengths and weaknesses helps one to utilize skills and reach their fullest potential. Some people find their purpose when they are younger whereas others can take to late adulthood. However whether being a mother, a great friend, or an activist is ones calling following through with ones vocation is the most important part.

Identity

 My friends are a big part of my life. A large majority of them I have been friends with since freshmen year and throughout the years we have become so close. They always let me be myself, which is very important. I never have to be someone I am not with them. Of course we all have lots of things to do but we always try to make time to hang out and catch up. They have taught me what it means to be a true friend and how to stick together in the good times and the bad.

In grade school I learned to play the guitar. I have stuck with it and have been in love ever since. Having a skill and passion is great because it gives me something to spend my time on. Music is very important to me and it as become a large part of my identity. From what my room looks like to how I spend my money, music dictates a lot of my life. I play the bass guitar in the Mount orchestra, but I really just like playing for myself rather than joining lots of groups. Learning an instrument has taught me that I can learn almost anything if I practice enough and stick with it.

As much as I do not want to admit it, attending Mount Saint Joseph has become part of my identity. When one hears all girls catholic school, many stereotypes come to mind, yet the Mount has help me become so much more than that. Being in an environment that focuses solely on woman's education has giving me a chance to thrive and grow in a different way than if I attended a coed school. As a Freshman I was not sure I made the right decision, but reflecting back on it four years later I cannot imagine attending any other school.