International Women's Day 2015

March 8 is known as International Women's Day. For the past century, since the first International Women's Day, Women have had a day to recognize themselves and their achievements. However, this year marks my first year knowing about this day. I cannot recall a single year were International Women's Day has been mentioned. Never have I heard a teacher, an older peer, or people in general make a big deal out of a March 8. It has always been just another day for me and I assume everyone else surrounding me.

Well now that I know about IWD (International Women's Day), starting from this day forward, I will no longer not be celebrating March 8. Although women should be celebrated everyday, it's nice to know that we have our own day to represent all that we have contributed to this world and how far we have come in our struggle for equality.

And even though we've come a long way, we should raise more awareness about female equality and equality for all in general because we have yet to reach its full potential. I feel like this years International Women's Day theme, Make It happen, is a great way to encourage others, specifically females, to advance in whatever they fancy. Be it becoming more "aware of women's equality, for more women in leadership roles, fairer recognition of women in sports, or for increased financial independence of women." We as women have to come together to make a better world for all to have equality.

If each and every one of us could try to make a difference in today's world, then tomorrow would be a brighter and better day. But it all starts with each and every one of us. So ask yourself, what would you be miserable without or what do want to be different in today's society. There are so many concerns that pop into my head. I can't list them all, only a few, to give you an idea as to what needs to be changed and bettered for our future.

Some Great things that have inspired me to take part on feminism are.

This photo series I found on Pinterest

• This video is a great watch from CloudyApples about how we should all be treated as individuals and "shallow offerings coupled with expectations" are ridiculous and just outrageous. 
• This piece from Buzzfeed about Indian widows who are breaking tradition by celebrating Holi 
• Sarah Silverman teamed up with National Women's Law Center to bring forth a serious message about the wage gap for women. 
• "Why U. S. Women Are Leaving Jobs Behind" is about U. S. mothers having to abandon their careers, in order to take care of their children. Unlike in most European countries were mothers just take time off and start back where they started from.  
• And honestly, Emma Watson. She has so many great things to say and put out on the table for discussion. She uses her talents for something so big and great. It just makes me want to do more and/or equally the same. I love the fact that she doesn't abuse her power as a role model by wasting it on something so irrelevant and meaningless. I truly admire her and hope to be as inspiring to another. 

Renovations in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas

I've lived and spent the majority of my eighteen years in North Oak Cliff. I live not even five minutes away from Downtown Dallas and right by 35, which is incredibly convenient. I've always loved where I lived because it's quiet, rarely do cars pass down the street, and it's incredibly centralized. However, I have a feeling that all this will change because of the revitalization of North Oak Cliff and I am absolutely against it and hate what's soon to become of North Oak Cliff.

I've seen what they've done to the Bishop Arts District and to say the least they made it ridiculously overpriced. All the shops and restaurants are incredibly expensive. To give an example, we use to go to this little hut-type-of-restaurant that served authentic Mexican tacos. They were absolutely amazing and I remember we use to go what felt like all the time, but then, and I don't mean to sound racist, the White people came along and ruined everything. What were once 99 cent tacos became $2.00 and the lines to get the tacos were too long! The tacos were great and all, but gosh did everybody have to show up and for $2.00? As if!

It was then that I realized that Bishop Arts District was changing and that I'd no longer taste those great barbacoa and lengua tacos ever again. Eight years later and my taste buds still miss the orgasmic taste (I'm being dramatic, I don't think they were that good, hahaha. Who knows though, I can't really remember). And I know it's not necessarily all their faults, they didn't tell the restaurant to raise the price, but if they didn't move in the area the restaurant would've been incredibly cheap, instead of overpriced.

Everything in the Bishop Arts District is overpriced though, and perhaps the reason is because they are all local and start-up businesses. However, they should really lower their prices. I honestly don't think they realize that Oak Cliff is not Lower Greenville or Uptown. Majority of people who live in the area are families, not young singles. And the majority, for the moment, are Hispanics who have jobs that barely provide enough for their families. Reason being why when you go to the Bishop Arts District all you see are young newlyweds, or much older people whose kids are long gone, who also happen to be mostly White and from the Kessler Park area.

Jim Lake Cos.

I don't have anything against the Bishop Arts District because I do like to walk around and window shop and imagine that one day I'll be able to shop at all the stores, eat at whatever restaurant without worrying how much I'm spending. What's bothering me now is that the city of Dallas wants to revitalize Jefferson Boulevard by making it like Bishop Arts. I saw the plans and they look great! I'm not gonna lie, but they also look very expensive and they want to add a lot of upscale apartments. It sort of feels like they're trying to make it look like Mockingbird Station.

I don't like, it if I wanted to be at Mockingbird Station, Lower Greenville, Uptown, or whatever, I'd go to those places. They should be preserving, cultivating Jefferson, with it's rich Hispanic culture, not try to change it into something that wasn't even there to begin with. All these upscale changes are going to burn a hole in taxpayers money. And the fact that they're making upscale apartments bothers me immensely. The city should invest in making more single-home houses and renovating old homes that have even the least potential. Even if it's more expensive to do so.

I'm not against change, I can easily adapt to any environment, but this all just sounds and seems SO ridiculous. For the moment being I cannot see how this will benefit all those who have grown up in North Oak Cliff. The only thing I can see is another upscale area in Dallas, that will eventually kick out everybody who cannot afford to stay.

The comments on these articles seem to agree that this seems like a bad idea.

• Jefferson Rezoning Plan Approved
• Board Approves 5 Million for Bishop Arts Project
• Seven things to know about the $40 Million Bishop Arts Project

Best Buy Annual Yellow Tag "Sale" Event

The holiday's mean tons of deals, deals that you didn't even know could exist, come out of nowhere. It's incredible how many deals you can find, that could save you a lot of money. However, there are also some deals that scam you into thinking that they're actually "deals". Nobody thinks to look at what the previous price might have been. Consumers just look at the price and if found reasonable they drop it their cart and continue to shop. Then when they've checked they look at the bottom of the receipt to find the "You Saved: $___" or something similar to that and feel satisfied with their shopping experience.

One of the many Holiday deals is Best Buy's Annual Yellow Tag Sale Event. This event usually happens after Christmas and ends early January. Their pitch is that you'll find "great deals on technology", "great prices on accessories", and other items that they sell.

From my experience Best Buy is a little pricey. Of course, it's expected because they sell technology and that's always going to be a little expensive. However, not only do they sell technology, but they also sell CD's, which I know a lot about- like the back of my hand. And honestly after this experience the only place I will buy my CD's are from Amazon and my local Half Price Books Store.

Last year I walked into the store, immediately going to the CD section, scanning for any albums that I needed. I found several and the prices seemed reasonable, $9.99. However, I was curious as to how much I was "saving". So I looked at the previous prices and to my surprise and disappointment, the albums were cheaper before the sale, $2.00 cheaper. Of course my local store really had nothing to do with this "sale". So I took the dilemma to the internet and it didn't turn out so well because the person I was speaking with obviously didn't want to understand what I was saying.

                        

After that experience I stopped going to Best Buy altogether. However, I was curious as to if I was wrong and perhaps the support guy was right. NOPE! He wasn't because when I went back this year everything seemed to be the same. All albums that were marked down had actually been increased by $2.00. I for one don't like being gypped, but if you don't mind spending an extra $2 and being lied to, then by all means go shop at Best Buy's Annual Yellow Tag Sale Event. You'll be sure to spend a lot more than you actually thought you bargained for.