Engaged and In School

This past September my boyfriend planned a great dinner to my favorite restaurant. On top of that he invited both our parents, siblings, and my old youth pastor and his wife, both who I am extremely close with. I know he was up to something due to the fact that I know he would not get all those people together for no reason. We were all having a good time laughing and joking around, as our waitress started bring us your food. I started to notice that everyone was getting there food but me. Before I was able to put to much thought to it the waitress set my plate in front of me, but it was not food. Instead I looked down at a plate with a crisp white napkin folded in the middle of the plate with a gorgeous ring laying on top. At that moment the biggest smile went across my face and my boyfriend lend over and whispered in my ear, then placed the ring on my finger. After that I was so excited that I was not able to actually finish my dinner, instead I just enjoyed in the excitement with my family and friends. My favorite reaction of the night was of my youth pastors two year old daughter. She went around telling, more so yelling, at everyone that I was going to be a princess. I must say it was one of the cutest things ever. 

My fiance and I had only known each other for a short time before getting engaged so I was unsure how my friends and family would react. For the most part we had full support of our friends, family, and church family. There still where some people that thought we are to young and jumped into it to soon. Over time most of those people have changed their minds after seeing us together and how happy we truly are together. 

I know many college students, including myself, who think being in college while engaged or marriage is a hard thing to do. From the very beginning we both set finishing school at the top of our priorities. In doing so my outlook on college also changed. It is no longer about having the full “college experience” but instead about just furthering my education. Even though at times it has been hard it is nice to always have his support and the support of others. Even though none of my friends are thinking of marriage anytime soon, they support my decision and know that it's for the right reasons.

These past five months have been the most exciting, fun, crazy, and stressful months of my life while planning for our wedding in June, but I would not change them for anything. I have a spectacular fiance that has stood by me and helped me with everything along the way, every thing from wedding planning to helping me transfer schools. I can not wait to see what our future together holds. 

School Weight Report Cards

The recent question “Should schools send home weight report cards?” has brought a lot of controversy. These “weight report cards” would be entered into the state wide data system that would allow officials to determine what part of the state has the greatest problem with obesity. Not only would these report cards be sent to the state but also the parents. Many believe that doing so will inform parents if their child is at risk and give them tips to help them. “A 2007 study from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that only 13 percent of parents with obese children ages 6 to 11 rated their child as being very overweight, compared with 31 percent of parents with obese children ages 12 to 17. While, less than 10 percent of parents with obese children ages 6 to 11 said they were "very concerned" about their child's weight.” 

Even though child obesity is a major issue many parents are out raged about schools giving their child a “weight report card.” Many parents feel it will hurt the child's self-image by having it made a big deal about getting weighed. There is a fear that it may lead overweight children to develop eating disorders and become self conscious about there bodies. Some parents think this will cause kids to be consumed by what they should look like and they believe they should not have to worry about that at such a young age.  

Parents feel like child obesity is something that should be taken care of but should be done in different ways. One of those ways would be during health by focusing on what the child should be eating and how their food choices will effect them in their future. If schools are going to get involved in child obesity parents feel like they need to start with the food the school is providing the students. Many wonder how schools can tell students to not eat a certain food, then they turn around and serve it to them at lunch or have it available to them in vending machines.

I can say I have experienced this from the other side, as an overweight child. I remember being weighed in P.E. classes during elementary school and it being one of the most embarrassing moments during my elementary years, besides being made fun of for being overweight. I remember being taught to eat more fruits and vegetables but never how to limit less healthy foods. I do remember my teacher giving us BMI charts that way we could figure out our BMI on our own, so we did not have to do it in front of our peers. 

I think it is a fantastic idea that they are wanting to improve our children’s health, but I feel like they could approach it in a little bit different way. One of these ways could be by sending out a monthly newsletter including nutritional tips and facts about child obesity, that way parents become more aware of the problem. Furthermore by taking charge of the foods that are available to students at school. That would include school lunches and vending machines. Even though children are taught to make better choices they are not always going to do so if the wrong thing is available for them. 

About me

Hi :) I am Amber Gourley. I just transferred to MSSU from MNU in Olathe, KS. I decided to transfer closer to home after getting engaged, in September. I will be getting married this June. I am very excited about starting this new chapter in my life. When I am not going to school or working I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. When I have extra time I enjoy photography, being outside, and traveling.