Don't Let Others Define You - Allison Redmond

Don’t Let Others Define You

By Allison Redmond

 

The media and the entertainment industry bombard females with messages that tell them they are not good enough. If girls don’t fit into or buy into the latest fad, they are left feeling inadequate. This leads girls to take extreme measures to feel accepted by others. Some girls even resort to anorexia and/or bulimia. They basically try to change everything about themselves in order to be “cool”. This is absolutely ridiculous. No one should feel that they are not good enough. It is for this reason that I came up with these four rules to live by:

 

1. Don’t Listen to the Media (e.g. movies, ads, magazines, news shows, etc.)
   • The media constantly tries to tell us how to live. You can’t listen to what they say. It does not matter what you weigh, what you look like, or what you wear. You do not have to be the next best singer, actor, athlete, or genius. Just be yourself.
2. Don’t Change for Others
   • No matter how hard you work to fit in, someone will always have another standard that you cannot meet. So what is the point in changing? Find a good group of people that will accept you for who you are, and stick with them.
3. Don’t Doubt Yourself
   • As an extremely important woman in my life always says, “God made you on purpose, for a purpose.” Even if you don’t know what His purpose for you is yet, you have one. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Also, remember that the view others have of you does not matter as much as God’s view of you.
4. Don’t Become the Problem
   • Now that I’ve said all this stuff about believing in yourself and not listening to what others say, you can’t be one of the “others”. DO NOT be part of the problem. Encourage people and make sure they know that they are enough, no matter what society says.

 

 

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139: 14

My Muscle Cars - Connor Reynolds

My Muscle Cars

By Connor Reynolds

 

In American culture people are defined by their cars, especially men. People with nice cars are usually considered high class and fancy. Back in the 60’s and 70’s muscle cars were a big deal. Many manufacturers built muscle cars including  Dodge, Chevrolet, Ford, Pontiac, and Plymouth.  Now I am more of a style and looks kind of person, so most of my choices are based on looks. Here are my favorite car muscle cars from the 60’s and 70’s.

 

#1 1968 SS-396 Camaro

Engine Specs: 375-hp, it was a V8 with a 4-speed transmission

Top speed was 137 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 5.7 seconds

 

The reason I chose this as my number one car is because my dad owns a ‘68 Camaro, and it has always been my favorite muscle car.

 

#2 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird

Engine Specs: Peaked at 5800 rpm, 550-bhp. It had a cast iron hemi V-8 engine and its top speed was around 142 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 5.5 seconds

 

The Plymouth Hemi Superbird is my number two because I enjoy the look of the orange exterior and the spoiler.

 

 

#3 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 5

Engine Specs: V-8, 355-bhp maxed at 5,400 rpm

Top speed of 133 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 7.1 seconds

 

The Shelby Mustang may not have had the same (0-60) acceleration speed as the last two cars, but it holds it place as number three for me because it has a modern look to it for being over forty years old.

 

#4 1970 Chevy Nova SS 396

Engine Specs: V-8 engine, produced 375-hp, and 4-speed transmission

Top speed 126 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 5.7 seconds

 

Chevy shares a few similarities with same (0-60) acceleration of 5.7 seconds, but I like this vehicle mostly when it’s a hatchback, and I like its sleek design.

 

#5 1969 Dodge Charger (The General Lee)

Engine Specs: V-8 with a max rpm of 5,000 and 375-hp, 3-speed transmission

Top speed 135 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 5.4 seconds

 

I chose the Dodge Charger for two reasons: one it’s an awesome muscle car and two when watching the Dukes of Hazzard who didn’t want a car to outrun cops and make long jumps?

 

 

#6 1970 Plymouth Barracuda (Hemi Cuda’)

Engine Specs: V-8, 425-bhp at 5000 rpm, 4-speed transmission

Top speed 117 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 6.0 seconds

 

I think this is number six on my list because I think the hood scoop or blower is a nice addition to car, giving it style and the name it cool as well.

 

 

 

 

#7 1964 Pontiac GTO

Engine Specs: Tri-Power V-8 had 348-hp at 4900 rpm

Top speed 130 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 6.5 - 7.7 seconds

 

Now it consider this car is the one that started the competition of muscle cars between the companies even though muscle car had existed for a while so who wouldn’t have this as one of their favorite classics?

 

 

#8 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Engine Specs: V-8, with 200-bhp at 3500 rpm

Top speed 120 mph with a (0-60) acceleration of 8.4 seconds

 

This is the newest muscle car in my list of favorites. I like the firebird 10-year anniversary a lot because of the black and gold exterior with the golden bird on the hood and this version of the car’s roof.

 

#9 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS

Engine Specs: L78 396 block engine, V-8, and 375-bhp at 5600 rpm, and 4-speed transmission

Top speed 135 mph with a (0-60) acceleration in 6.5 seconds

 

The Chevelle is now my third Chevy car that I have chosen so you can tell I’m a big fan of the Chevy muscles. I really enjoy how the body of the car sticks out farther than the wheels. (Plus Mrs. Watson made me use this car.)

 

          If you’re one of those guys who likes the power of a car more than it looks like the Pontiac GTO Judge, the Ford Torino, Ford Mustang or maybe even the Shelby Cobra. These are my favorite cars you can like or not and if you want you can write your own blog on your favorite muscle cars.