Airport Travel

My privacy has officially been violated. It was bound to happen. After flying three times in one week, it was almost guaranteed that I would be scanned by one of the new TSA scanners.

These scanners, a new security measure, scan your body for 10 seconds as you stand in a box with your legs a foot apart and your arms raised above your head. It projects a naked image of your body toward a security official watching the screen, who then looks for anything you might be sneaking onto a flight. From my understanding, the scanners make “pat-downs” unnecessary since technology does everything for us. They have created an ethical issue by potentially causing discomfort in some individuals at the idea of a random stranger examining your nude body.

TSA and newspaper articles suggest that it is not unethical because “the person monitoring the image does not know your identity.” A friend in Boston raised an interesting point refuting this measure. People don’t know someone’s identity when they are looking at pornography magazines, do they? So why is this ethical?

In a world where technology takes more prevalence by the day, we are undoubtedly increasing our safety. I have no question that these machines were created with good intent, to ensure that people are not sneaking illegal items onto plane. But where do we draw the line between what is too much? The technology and amount of interactive devices are keeping us safe by increasing stalking abilities and not considering human thought and ramifications of such decisions. Privacy does not exist…ever. The scan takes 10 seconds, and I don’t believe it would take a security official any more than 10 seconds to pat down someone who sets the alarm off at the gate.

Thus, I foresee an interesting future with this new invention. If nude scanners are acceptable in airports, where will they be acceptable next? School buildings? Ellis Island? Museums? Essentially, my generation must be prepared to lose our definition of privacy and acknowledge the impact of the Information Age. By the time I have kids, security measures and inventions will probably have exploded.

Let’s just accept the fact that we were always being watched. Between these, security cameras in department stores and easily-available devices sold in stores, machines will be aware of what is going on. But do the people who own or control them? Despite my father’s jokes about these “TSA regulation and stimulation stations,” the people monitoring these machines are still Americans getting paid to do a job. In fact, they probably did not request that position, and if they did, I have hope that airport security is intelligent enough not to hire them. In an age of technological innovation, we must remain aware of our surroundings as we lose this privacy, because while we might be being watched, we are not necessarily being judged.

Judgment and appearance is ultimately what many humans care about, and a machine cannot do that. It can witness things but not really understand personality, therefore, admitting the creepiness of these TSA scanners, they do fulfill their goal of promoting security and safety. Once Americans recognize this, press coverage will diminish and these measures will become habitual, just as security has been in the past.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a lovely and relaxing break in Northbrook and I am thankful for everyone I have gotten to see whether it was for five minutes or five hours!

Although this seems incredibly generic, I'm going to continue my list-making fetish and describe what I am thankful for!

What Katie is thankful for

• My family: I have to give my family some credit, because they still love me even though I am rarely home. I have not been with my family for more than a week since May (where I had a month), and cannot foresee a time where I will be at home for an incredibly long period of time. But I am thankful that when I do return, we can all sacrifice our time to have family dinners, catch up, spend time together doing completely random things, make jokes, laugh together and so much more. I can ramble on about absolutely nothing and they will listen. I can call members of my extended family like my Yiayias (who don't know enough about the Internet to know that this blog exists) on walks to class just to smile, and always feel loved. Thanks Artemi!
• Friends from high school: I am thankful to have close-knit relationships from high school so when I come home, I don't only have automatic plans, but I also never feel awkward or forced. I want to see everyone that I hang out with, and each one of these people can start off just where we left off. I can wear my glasses and no makeup for three days straight and not feel any bit of guilt. Hanging out with friends can constitute going to the bank, Costco, and running other errands and it's not about what we're doing...it's about valuing the time we have together. No one knows where we will all end up living after graduation, so I am thankful to have friends that take advantage of every minute we have together and home to continue our bond :).
• People that value communication: Both of the above categories fall in this realm, but I could not survive without my constant communication with the people in my life. Whether this is through phone calls everywhere I walk, Skyping when I'm stressed, or random texts throughout the day, I thank everyone who makes time to communicate with me by choice. I love having people to talk to, hear from and discuss anything from school to current events with, and not just one-sided relationships. Thank you to anyone who keeps in touch with me!!
• My college experience: Choosing the University of Missouri was never where I would have anticipated myself as a young teenager, and to this day I envy people who attend college in gorgeous U.S. cities and study abroad or do great work in amazing places. But I'm thankful that I attend Mizzou every day. Not just for our beautiful and simple campus, welcoming environment or Journalism School, but for the way the system works. FIGS (Freshman Interest Groups) and Learning Communities determine where you live as a freshman, and allow you to meet students in your major and with similar interests. While promoting competition, it allowed me to click with the university quicker than anywhere else I would have gone and oddly enough, I will always feel a strong attachment to Mizzou and "CoMo," the town of Columbia. I will be dressing my kids in Tiger-spirited items, have mugs and trinkets around my house as an adult and am happy that this is the case.
• College friends: Both living in Mark Twain Hall and my experience in Phi Mu have had a very strong impact on who my friends are and I can't envision things turning out any other way. My FIG and learning community gave me the best friends I could ask for- my own family at school. We're oddly obsessed with the same things and each other so much that I feel like we can read each other's minds, make each other's decisions and mock ourselves perfectly. We're insane enough to all leave our hometowns early to spend more time with each other...when we see each other on a daily basis at school. Kathryn, Sherman, Andrew, Laura, Kate, Shaina and Amy- thank you for keeping me sane on a daily basis. Phi Mu contributed as well by allowing me to meet a diverse community of girls who participate in various things on campus and come from a variety of backgrounds. Shelley- thank you for being the best pledge mom/big sister ever. And thank you to all of my friends from Mizzou for being my friend :)
• Involvement with the Greek Orthodox Church: After my trip to Boston this weekend, I realized how many activities and how much of my life has been influenced by having connections and more through church. Although I was visiting two friends from Project Mexico, I practically knew half of the school I was at (Holy Cross/Hellenic College) from Ionian Village, Fanari, St. Nicholas Camp or being a PK (priest's kid). We could all go to Divine Liturgy and Paraklesis together without questioning why we were there, and comfortably hang out with anyone and share the common bond of our faith. I'm very glad that I have this and look forward to pursuing it in the future through Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) and College Conference at Antiochian Village this December!

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday, weekend and I hope that you can reflect on being thankful for some of these things too!

Boston!

Here are some photos from my trip to Boston!

We started off Friday by meeting up with friends at Holy Cross/Hellenic College's Office of Vocational Ministry (OVM) and then took the T down to Faneuil Hall to shop, grab dinner and eat Mike's Cannoli!

Anna and I!

Outside of Faneuil Hall and the clock tower
Saturday we explored Boston's "Chinatown," nothing like New York's and nothing worth seeing. But the more I travel, the more things I learn like this, so we just happily headed onto Boston Commons and enjoyed the nice weather!

Faneuil Hall had the lighting of its Christmas tree so we went back with a larger group to see it! Almost as exciting as the Anastasi service when it goes from darkness to full of light...hah.
Then, we gathered the HCHC crew and everyone from out of town for dinner at Bertucci's.

Sunday after Liturgy, we went to Harvard Square and walked around the campus and some bookstores in the area. I was shocked at how Harvard has its own Ralph Lauren POLO line, $90 for a hoodless sweatshirt. Those New England luxuries.

Emily and I on the "quad"
We thought this building was a nice church we went toward to go inside. It's actually Harvard's undergraduate dining hall. Sad.

Later that evening, we saw Social Network. Monday morning, I went to class with Emily and then Emily, Anna and I went to Larz Anderson Park and then Boston College to walk around!

Here, I ran into Mizzou's Memorial Union!! Doesn't it look just like it?

All in all, it was great to reunite and catch up with friends, while realizing how small of a world it is as everyone knew everyone! Things were really put into perspective when we realized Holy Cross/Hellenic has about 200 students....the size of a sorority at Mizzou. Thus, it's nice to have a close community but I'm glad I where I am but would gladly return to the beautiful town of Boston for visits in the future.

Have a holly jolly Christmas

As some of you know, I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with Christmastime. The decorations, the music, gift-giving essence...the list goes on. So I hope you enjoy the new blog background!

The last weekend in Columbia

With Thanksgiving break approaching, this was the last weekend in Columbia until Dec. 4! I can cleverly say I will have been in four states in one week over break as I take off for Boston, home, Kansas City and back to Missouri!

Emily, Alex and I!

Lesson from the above photo: I have this habit of purchasing beautiful high-waisted skirts and not thinking that I need tops to tuck into them! Gift idea for Katie? Cute tank tops and long-sleeve shirts for my skirts! Thank you!

Phi Mu Semi-Formal 2010

Shelley and I getting ready! Lesson from the photo: Shelley's dress is from Von Maur and qualifies as gorgeous black and gold attire. If you come across any black and gold attire (business, professional, cute, etc.) or heels like mine (I need more!) and want to buy them for me for Christmas, go for it ;).

Here is a few of us in the living room waiting to get on the bus to the country club for semi-formal! Instead of taking dates, five girls from the house and I took a group of our friends and had a fun night!

The Tigers proved our undefeated record at home by beating Kansas State in today's last home football game! It was the coldest of of our games all season (we actually have to wear jackets in Missouri now...what?!), but this fit in with the blackout attire since we could layer as many black coats on as we wanted to.

Sherman's 'Surprise' Birthday Dinner

For once, I was actually pretty excited that within my group of friends, we had kept this dinner a secret all week. Literally. That is a huge challenge for a group of journalism-major-Type A-gossipy individuals who are constantly sharing a variety of information with each other. So here are the lessons I learned after we ate at Jina Yoo's:

• 1- When you make an event on Facebook that's a surprise, don't put anyone's name in the subject line. Because since Facebook events are on the right sidebar, anyone can see them that glances over at your computer (in the room, during class, etc.)
• 2- I cannot singlehandedly control everything. People started to arrive for our dinner reservation between 6-6:30, and Sherman had an interview for a class and didn't have his phone on. We did not know where he is or have any control or manipulation over when he got home and to this dinner. But everything worked out!! The restaurant host and I discussed a deal where I said "Katie for 3" when we walked in which really signified "Sherman for 15." I love nice people. But all in all, it was a successful event!

Hope that was an okay weekend update and have a great week before Thanksgiving!

The cell-phone-less life: learning to say no

I have a problem. I am attached to my cell phone. It does not leave my side. I have never once left it in my room, put it on silent of even turned it off this semester.

The idea sparked into my head that I should just go a day without my phone and see how things differ. In a plea to start saying no to more things in life and not trying to accomplish everything and more, I left my phone at home in my room, on silent, on top of my desk and will not check it until I return home for the day around 7:30 p.m. Twelve hours without a phone to contact the world. What would you do?

A quick disclaimer- I do have my computer with me and have been replying to e-mails, but this was not part of the experiment. The mission per se was that anything I am doing, I am always in contact with someone else via text or calling. I have a break in between 1:45 and 3:30 p.m. on this day in my schedule, and reflected upon what I usually get done during this hour. Even if I set an agenda and to-do list of things to accomplish, I realize they do not get done to the extent I want them to. Why? Because I am either calling people to catch up (something I value), texting someone I will see in a few minutes or hours, or running errands and favors that probably never would have even needed to be done if I wouldn't have said yes.

I cannot say no. This is a current issue I am working on with my friends, acquaintances and co-members of organizations, but people know this about me and take full advantage of it. I have spent hours driving people to places I don't even know to go because I feel bad that they have no other way of getting there. Gone to various buildings on campus to print assignments for group members because I am under the impression my grade will suffer if they do not complete their part. Helped people with quizzes when I should be writing a Spanish paper. Making documents and schedules for people who whine about not being able to organize their lives. Meeting up for coffee when I should be preparing for an exam.

And when I think about it, this sounds selfish, but I could probably finish my work and maybe have a little more free time if I toned those other errands down and focused on what I need to do. Do I regret helping my friends? Not in the least. Do I get aggravated at these errands and last minute wants sometimes? Yes. But I fulfill them anyway. Because I have an empathy problem and think that if I was in their position, I would take advantage of me too. But people barely return the favor and I continue to live. It's just how my life functions.

I've had some time to get ahead this afternoon and I've written two analytical blog posts, ran some errands on my own and achieved more than I thought I would. Potential things that could have happened with a phone include spontaneous calls and texts that inhibit me from paying attention in class or cause me to stress out about what needs to be done next. Or texts from people asking for help on a project or a paper that would cause me to immediately stop what I'm doing and go meet up with them. The thought of saying I have something else to do does not even cross my mind. Thus, the lack of cell phone usage this afternoon is a test in saying no to things that if really needed to be done, should have been contacted earlier. To warn my acquaintances, I posted my Facebook status that I was going phoneless for the day. I have already been questioned by three people in my classes how it's going. Note: these are not people I talk to on a regular basis. Goodness.

I am halfway through the day. There are several alarming reasons informing me that this problem persists in my life and it's even making me depressed that this is even the case. Examples include:

• During one of my lecture classes, I envisioned that my phone was ringing and I got really embarrassed that it interrupted class. But that didn't happen. I guess I just wish my phone was ringing/maybe it was ringing back at home and my cell phone and I have that sixth sense with each other. Yes, I just personified my cell phone. But without even having possession of the phone, I believe it rang because that's what I'm used to. Sad story #1.
• I am wearing a jacket with pockets and have these moments where I feel my phone vibrating and dig in my pocket to get it (one of its usual locations). But the phone is on my desk in my room....and there is no vibration I am actually feeling. I am just so adjusted to getting text messages at this time of day that it's instinctual to take my phone out.
• After proposing an argument at a TA's office hours, I received five points back on a test. My first feeling was to text my friends in that class about my excitement. But there was no phone in my pocket. Upon reflection, I thought...maybe if I eliminated the ability to do this, they don't actually need to know. In fact, they probably don't care. With unlimited texting, messages have lost their value and become so pointless. So, I got a few points back, the world continues.
• I'm sure more will come since it is only 3 p.m.

I encourage you all to participate because I feel so relaxed. As I acknowledged before, I did not cut of all contact due to e-mail and this blog obviously, but I hope you look forward to hearing the results of this experiment!

Networking, networking, networking...

I am a 19-year-old college sophomore who has two more years of undergraduate schooling. But we live in America so it's never too late to start thinking about where I'm getting a job in two (or three) years, right?

I don't know whether to attribute it to being at the University of Missouri or just being a young adult in the United States, but everything revolves around networking. It's all about the future. If I don't go meet the Associated Press recruiter when he is at MU now and today, the impression is given that I will just not get a job. If one of my parents or grandparents' best friends from who knows where does not own, manage or work as a CEO of a major agency, I won't get hired!

We do not have time to focus on the here and now. The perfect job opportunity, mentor to meet, or professor could be right in front of our eyes in a specific course but we would not even realize it. Students are too busy seeing what else they can sign up for 'networking'-wise that I don't think I don't think many would discover the opportunities right in front of their faces. If they are following Arik Hanson's blog (a popular blogger in America) or seeing who one can find on LinkedIn or Twitter during class, how are those professors supposed to write recommendations?

I advocate futuristic thinking, but sometimes it gets to be a little too much. I learned the value this summer of recognizing what's right in front of you and appreciating it. But now I am back at school and revert back to the norm (note: the norm for Type A personalities and my friends)- going after every opportunity. I enjoy those opportunities, but I need to define my limits. I took advantage of two opportunities in the past week that were beneficial to my college career and 100 percent networking, but remember not to go too overboard.

Friday, Nov. 5, I went to Kansas City with AAF Mizzou (Advertising Club, American Advertising Federation = AAF) to tour three agencies. We went to Two West, VML and Barkley & Associates. They were all prominent advertising agencies in the KC area and potential employers. The atmosphere was a lot more relaxed than one would anticipate, and the students in attendance did everything from listen to employees speak and give us their job descriptions, brainstorm about potential client campaigns and watch and analyze promotional videos.

But one way I applied the networking lessons I advocate is that while I saved every business card and the contact information of the associates, I have to remember...I am only a sophomore. Most of these agencies aren't even taking people my age as interns. One might call me an 'overachiever,' but that is not the case. I'm learning what interests me and how to apply it to what I do now. Last year I could not have told you what media planning or being a public relations account executive was, and now I can say that I am considering them for potential careers. The more I hear about what these people do and what you can do in college to prepare you for that, the more excited I get to enter the work force. So my idea of networking is to learn about myself and what I want out of my future in the process. I also met a variety of great individuals that I never would have met if I did not go on this trip. I was in the car for four hours with four people I had never met, and we had great conversation about the agencies, jobs and life at Mizzou right now. Plus, we had an awesome lunch with carne asada at an authentic Mexican restaurant called Manny's in KC. Bonus! Thus, this trip was a worthwhile experience and I look forward to more AAF trips in the future!

This past weekend fully encompassed networking as Saturday, I attended Mizzou's 1st Annual Leadership Academy. The schedule of events for the day consisted of two speakers and a closing address by Chancellor Brady Deaton, the opportunity to attend four breakout workshop sessions in a variety of topics, and a nice lunch and networking reception in the New Student Center. It was hard to decide which sessions to attend since there were a multitude of options, but I went to one on event planning (typical), Leadership Leverage- how to apply your college experiences with organizations to your future, leading effective meetings (what I will be doing as Phi Mu's vice president) and networking & connections.

Me, Susan, Katie and Stephanie at the reception.

Six Phi Mu women were in attendance!

While learning a lot of information from these four sessions, the last value I learned about networking is not only the value of knowing adults in the professional field, but people on your own campus. The networking and connecting session ended with a speed-dating atmosphere of getting to know the people in the room, and I met students from a variety of campus organizations. Not only will I appreciate their kindness and friendship, but there is a two-way benefit in networking. We can acknowledge each other and participate in each other's events. I may or may not have recruited Relay For Life teams and Maneater advertisements in these conversations. But I also learned about how I can help one of the hall councils with not even too much effort. It was an excellent opportunity to attend the first time the university held this event and meet so many leaders from around campus, and I look forward to attending the Academy in the future!

To conclude, I encourage you to see all the benefits of networking, while also living in the present. Be professional in what you do, but keep your eyes open and appreciate the wonderful experiences and people you meet by doing it.

Now I need some more business professional attire, huh? With all these interviews, events and elections in the past week, my suit outfits, collared shirts and high waisted skirts are exhausted!

Sometimes I make time to be social

Despite the past week's busy schedule, social interaction and the kick-off to Christmas season were totally necessary.

Here is mine and Kathryn's room with our tree and colored lights! Due to last year's organization, it was a fairly quick process after formal chapter to set everything up because Kathryn and I being the people we are, all of the decorations and ornaments were in one box prepared for Nov. 1. We rock like that.

Amy, Cliff, Asher, Andrew, Sherman and I on our way to Harpos

A much needed Mark Twain reunion hosted by Elizabeth! Many of us crowded the J-Slums to hang out and it was nice to see such a variety of people to catch up with.

Look at that Twain love

Some of the group at Brittany's 21st Birthday Dinner!

Jenny, Amy, Jen, me and Katie!

Keeping to the rules

Yesterday night at 6 p.m. was the kickoff to the Missouri Student Association (MSA) 2011 presidential election. After much campaigning from the three president-vice presidential pairings-- Hansen-Oxenreider, Travis-Horan and Woods-Moon, the election was postponed until next week because of two complaints filed against one of the candidate pairings for illegal campaigning.

This so-called "illegal campaigning" was sending out mass e-mails soliciting themselves. Let's put this into perspective: we live in a world of technological communication, Facebook, Google everything....and sending out an e-mail to a group of people endorsing yourself is illegal. You can have websites, Facebook events, advertisements and fliers...but can't send out a mass e-mail or tell people to vote for you in a verbal, face-to-face conversation. I think there's some irony here.

The mass-email and notification rule is a very collegiate standard to uphold. At this year's Homecoming, I am aware of two pairings who were disqualified because although they all showed up for their blood appointments, donated blood, were healthy, arrived on time and volunteered....someone was spotted telling more people to give blood for their pairing's points. So no points at all for them. But it's not about the points....it's the fact that they all gave blood that will be donated to save LIVES. Heck, if it takes mass e-mails and verbal endorsements to help people change our world, let them happen! Why hold people back because it might not be fair that one has more access to another?

I really don't understand it. There is obviously reasoning for the mass e-mail rule and more, but you need to think of the end result and its benefits. In sarcastic retaliation to the e-mail discussing the post-ponement, Sherman and I posted Facebook statuses instructing our friends:

Due to the substantial judicial issues affecting the MSA election, please write in Fabes-Artemas for the 2011 MSA President/Vice President. Sherman Fabes and I believe we can pull this upset off.

It received a pretty adequate response from our Facebook followers with likages, comments and even tags in new posts. Thus, it was a funny joke of the week, and I encourage people in their future endeavors not to make rules against e-mails and things that could better our environment.

Crossing borders

One topic that has sparked my interests lately more than I thought it ever would is the United States-Mexico border, in terms of illegal immigration as well as identity. I used to be very adamant about my view; it seems like a cut and dry topic. If you are born in Mexico (or Canada, Greece, any country for that matter), you are not a U.S. citizen and thus, do not deserve to enter the country we fund. End of story. That should be ethical, right? But it's not.

When I think about the issue, I see it as one of induced self-esteem of Americans for monetary and economic purposes. Even if it is better to not overpopulate our country, the U.S. feels a sense of power and torture over immigrants such as Mexicans. In the long run, it is not just a problem of our country's size and money, it's about our egos, selfishness and disrespect toward other cultures. There are huge race and generation fault lines present through our biases toward immigrants. Thus, I came to the conclusion that is is the norm in American culture to uphold a sense of empowerment against a group of individuals when really, the ethical thing to do would be to stop torturing them and look out for the best interests of a group.

For example, when a Mexican who was born in the U.S. is crossing the border, it is the norm to be incredibly tough while letting him over. Checking multiple forms of identification (I personally had to show two IDs when I crossed the border and I am a blonde, Greek-American girl), questioning and evil stares are typical. The employees, regardless of who they are at home or outside of their job, exert this unnecessary power that shows that they are better because they have all say as to who enters the country. But what else makes them any better than us? NOTHING.

While not quite as extreme examples, there are small things that happen on life's daily basis, as well as laws, that prove this unnecessary exertion of power. Last week, I spent an hour and a half waiting to pick up my MU basketball tickets outside Mizzou Arena. About 500 students waited outside in the cold, and in these experiences last year, people were getting frostbitten. But the arena employees won't just open the door and let you sit in the heated building while you wait for your tickets. Or let you in to use the bathroom. That door does not open a minute too early; it's firsthand torture. Would it be unethical to unlock the door and let people inside for their health's sake as they wait? Apparently so.

There's a different type of torture by the law like when I am right outside of a popular Columbia bar "canning" for Relay, but can't walk into the bar because of one number that adds to my identity--my age. While this is a different type of example and I do believe the drinking age should be 21, it's the premise of the fact that one 'bouncer' is holding me back from stepping foot on that territory when in reality, who is he to be in that position? Another individual empowering others of equal, lesser or even greater value than himself.

Ilyse, Jackie and I outside of Harpo's collecting money for Relay.

We fundraised over $500 that night!

As a strict person, I'm saying that America needs to tone down its relationships with its rules and evaluate whether the rules are upheld for ethical or empowering reasons. If I were the Mizzou Arena employee who watched someone outside go to the hospital for frostbite, would I feel good about myself? The bartender that watched someone go away in an ambulance outside because they weren't allowed in a bar to use the bathroom? Watched the immigrant that was shot because he or she wasn't allowed across the border when in reality, met all standards? Think about it.

So much to say

I feel like it's been two weeks and not just one since I last blogged, but look forward to a plethora of posts in the near future :). Time has flown by with many trips, revelations, photos and more so keep checking back!!

Halloween!

Day 1: Quinn Fabray and Rachel Berry!

Day 2: Convict!

Day 3: Convict again....for rushing the field at last week's football game! But I was pardoned :P!