All Things New

If you didn't see the Video Music Awards on MTV this weekend, you really didn't miss much (other than a glorious NSYNC reunion... but that's for another place and time). But you probably haven't missed hearing about Miley Cyrus' vulgar "performance". There have been loads of opinions offered on her wild, televised, highly-publicized VMA antics, so I figured I'd add my voice to the mix. I've read that Miley's performance exhibited gender inequality. Many people are arguing the unfairness of young women feeling the need to put themselves on display sexually in order to gain attention. It has been said that because all the attention of the aftermath of the performance has been focused on Miley rather than her just-as-raunchy male counterpart Robin Thicke, it proves that women have not yet gained the equality they desire. I've read that Miley's performance exhibited racism. It has been pointed out that Miley is trying to portray &

" We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time. It's miserable and magical..."  -22 by Taylor Swift Say what you will about T-Swift, but if you were 22 when this song was released, it automatically became your JAM. It's just flat-out relatable. She demonstrates the spectrum of emotion that often accompanies young adulthood. Seriously, we are all OVER the place sometimes. But today, I am 23 . (Unfortunately, I've yet to find any cool songs about this age...what a disappointment...) I don't yet know how it will compare to 22. But before I move onward on this journey called life (nice cliche, eh?), I think the year of 22 was good enough to celebrate with some highlights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I was 22, I was a student. I began my final semester as an OU undergraduate. Four months and several papers later, I walked across the stage and received my diploma