Nearly a year ago, I embarked on a pretty crazy journey.

Flyer News launched a whole new technology venture at the end of last year – increased Web presence, multimedia, Web galleries and online-exclusive articles and, of course, these blogs. Since that time, we’ve encountered a whole variety of newsworthy events. On a national level, we’ve continued to reel from a national economic crisis, and have seen some pretty insane occurrences, from Wikileaks to Charlie Sheen.  Here on campus, we’ve seen floor collapses, one insane St. Patrick’s Day and a new men’s basketball head coach.

These types of stories have helped shape what this current Flyer News staff has done with the newspaper, and I’ve been lucky enough to type about it here in the Global Connection blog. As of Sunday, April 10, I will no longer be news editor of this fine publication. But because of the technological advances we’ve made this year, I’ve had the opportunity to voice my opinion on some of the events going on in our world, from wacky to somber. For this, I consider myself lucky. And as I leave FN, I hope that we here in the Global Connection blog have gotten you thinking.

Why do we observe Lent?  Is the intention to bring us closer to God or to help us shed those post-winter lbs for Daytona?

I will admit I’ve cut off my diet in past years in terms of chocolate or pop consumption. Every time I’ve said no to these temptations throughout their respective years I always remembered why I had said no. I’m Catholic. That means no meat on Fridays and giving up something I love for 40 days.

Does giving up a caloric maximizer ultimately bring you closer to God? This year, I’ve thought about a more concrete way of reflecting on my relationship. One need not give up anything. By adding something to my daily life such as going to Church on Sundays or reading a Lenten prayer book each night of Lent, I can strengthen my connection with God.

Whether it’s the reading the little prayer book every night, praying the rosary, or giving up some sort of food… who are you putting first? Yourself and your diet, or God?

A Japanese legend says that if a sick person folds 1,000 paper cranes, they will receive their wish to get better. This story was popularized by the tale of  Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl that contracted cancer from the Hiroshima bombings, and has resurfaced because of the recent Japanese earthquake.

Throughout the world, a wide range of people have taken to folding delicate paper cranes and sending them to Japan as a gesture of well wishing, thoughts and prayers.

Even though this show of support is just that – a show of support – and has no monetary or helpful value, it still touches my heart, and hope it does for the Japanese citizens as well. Many non-U.S. citizens view Americans as crass and not very culturally diverse, but this helps shoot down those rumors. The making of these paper cranes really does show that Americans are caring, and will reach to be sensitive to needs of those other countries around us.

Charlie Sheen’s social media internship, that’s what.

On Monday, March 7, celebrity Charlie Sheen tweeted that he was looking to hire a social media intern. Or, a “#winning INTERN with #tigerblood,” to quote him exactly.

Sheen has been all over the news for his recent rants and raves ranging from the “goddesses” living in his house to his fellow members of “Two and a Half Men,” but this single tweet may have gotten more attention than the rest. In a period of 48 hours, this internship received over 74,000 applicants, according to the New York Daily News.

As someone who is currently on the job hunt, I’ll apply to any sort of employment opportunity I see. But I’ve never heard of any single place getting 74,000 applicants – especially, let’s be honest, some place that may not even be a real employment opportunity. But it definitely goes to show what young people in their early 20s are looking for in a job – a good time. I know a handful of people who were part of that 74,000 people, and that’s the one thing they were excited about if they got it. There aren’t too many things that can be guaranteed from a Charlie Sheen internship, but a crazy time would definitely be one of them.

Our next issue of Flyer News is exclusively dealing with news and issues that relate specifically to men and women on the University of Dayton campus. So, for this blog I’ve chosen to focus on an issue that is spreading like wildfire across U.S. college campuses: co-ed housing.

Rutgers University announced at the end of February that they would offer gender-neutral housing for the upcoming school year, according to the Daily Princetonian. The program will be offered for upperclassmen only, and will have 20-30 males and females living in one common area.

Though I am in support of co-ed housing, the reason behind Rutgers’ move is slightly bothersome. One of the major proponents of the movement is the LGBTQ community, who called for the change after the death of student Tyler Clementi. Clementi passed away last year after jumping to his death from the George Washington Bridge outside New York City. He was allegedly being bullied by his roommate for being gay.

According to the Daily Princetonian, LGBTQ activists urged the university to form these new housing groups to encourage “inclusion.” But, isn’t living with 20-30 other people of various backgrounds and beliefs expand the possibility to be outcast? With so many suitemates, it seems that there is more of a chance that someone of a minority background would encounter someone who does not approve of their lifestyle.

I’m in support of this movement, and although it seems educational in nature, I can’t see it achieving what the LGBTQ groups wish it will. I hope I’m wrong, but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.

How many times can Lindsay Lohan receive a “Get Out of Jail Free” card?

The actress was recently accused of stealing a high-priced necklace, but may not even serve jail time, even though she’s still on probation from a 2007 drunk driving arrest. Even though Lohan has been accused of stealing in the past and has been arrested several times, it’s not exactly a “slam dunk” case, according to experts. Lohan’s celebrity combined with a lack of evidence in the case could easily equal her walking away unscathed.

Sure, there is always a possibility that the actress is actually innocent, and the whole incident was just a misunderstanding. But it seems unfair to me that Lohan could get the celebrity treatment (no pun intended) when it comes to her conviction. Just because a person is famous doesn’t mean they should be able to get away with something illegal they did.

The American Stereotype  – loud, obese, pale, Hawaiian shirt and tennis shoes clad, with a camera around strung around our necks. When you go abroad, what are your perceptions about being identifiable as a United States citizen?

According to CNN.com, over the years U.S. travelers have been worried about what kind of welcome they may receive when they leave home due to U.S. culture and foreign policy being disliked in some parts of the world because of the stereotype that brands U.S. visitors as loud, demanding, too casually dressed and unaware of local culture.

Is it because we as a nation are aware of the stereotypes placed on us? Why the change?

In the L.A. Times, Gregory Rodriquez wrote an article entitled “From ugly to just plain American,” identifying a more diverse U.S. population, the weak dollar, etc. all contribute to the change.

Personally, whenever I have traveled abroad, I have enacted one of my favorite phrases, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So, whenever I go abroad, I try my best to not only educate myself about the culture, but also to go where the locals go, eat what the locals eat, and try my best to use the language. For me, I can only experience the most of a culture when I try to feel it and live it as my own. Maybe other U.S. citizens feel the same and we can bring upon the demise of this ugly phrase!

While millions of people were celebrating Valentine’s Day with candy, flowers and dinner with their loved ones, same-sex marriage advocates were rallying and protesting marriage equality.

In at least 25 cities nationwide, same-sex couples requested marriage licenses on Monday, to show that they are denied full marriage equality in 45 states, but also denied federal recognition in the five other states plus Washington, D.C. where same-sex marriage is legal.

In San Francisco, nine same-sex couples went to City Hall for marriage licenses and protested the denial by sitting on the floor.  They were then handcuffed in plastic ties and escorted out of the building.

“As we cheer on our heterosexual fellow citizens who are able to marry on this wonderful day of love, we will remind the world that falling in love and the desire to marry the person you love is a universal sentiment and that all citizens should have the freedom to marry the one they love,” Molly McKay, Marriage Equality U.S.A. media director said in a statement to the press.

Just last month Illinois legalized civil unions, and Rhode Island and Maryland votes for a gay marriage bill are currently pending.

The world needs love and lots of it, (have you been watching the news lately?) so why is same-sex marriage facing such resistance?  In my opinion, love is love and it should be recognized and valued.

Wael Ghonim is.

The 30-year-old head of marketing for north Africa and the Middle East for Google and native Egyptian publicly announced on Wednesday, Feb. 9 that the country’s president needs to be brought to justice as soon as possible, and Ghonim will go to any measure necessary to see that happen.

Ghonim, who played a major role in organizing the first major regime protests in Egypt last month, was jailed for a week and a half for his actions. Since being released, many members of the Egyptian public have considered him a hero, an image he is trying to uphold by continuing the fight for his country. It has been claimed that Ghonim was behind an anonymous Facebook page that helped organize protesters during the initial protest on Jan. 25.

“I am not a hero. I only used the keyboard, the real heroes are the ones on the ground,” Ghonim said in an interview after his release.

Speaking to CNN Wednesday, Ghonim said he would sacrifice his life if it would bring change to Egypt.

His Twitter page also continues to be updated with messages such as, “This is not the time to ‘negotiate’, this is the time to ‘accept’ and ‘enforce’ the demands of the Egyptian Youth movement,” showing that the Internet has continued to make an impact on this modern revolution.

Though the use of the Internet is something inherently modern, Ghonim’s message is not. His acts of patriotism are ones that nationals have been taking for centuries, but in the modern day and age, we don’t see it very often. It may be because revolutions don’t happen as often, or maybe we don’t hear about them. But no matter what, Ghonim’s actions are definitely ones to be revered and respected.

Snooki: published author? I saw “Snooki: A Shore Thing” on shelves at my most recent venture to Target and I can’t help but wonder how or why book publishers are choosing to spend money on authors like her or other Jersey Shore compadres like Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino.

The Hollywood Reporter notes “Despite Media Blitz, Snooki’s ‘Shore Thing’ Fails to Sell.” Shocking.

Snooki tries to justify this by providing reasons why one should purchase her book on David Letterman’s show. Her reasons are listed here:

The book provides 200 pages of hangover cures.

J-Woww gives the book 5 “wows.”

It’s so good, Pauly D. is willing to learn to read so he can read it.

show her your receipt and she’s grind with you at a nightclub of your choice.

The book includes helpful tips on how to clean ron-ron juice out of your Camaro.

If everyone buys her book, the economy will be fixed.

It comes with a blank page where you can stick your gum.

If you don’t buy it, she will personally send a juiced-up guido to your house.

She claims it is the finest work of literature ever written by an author named Snooki.

Are you convinced? How about checking out some excerpts?

“I love food. I love drinking, boys, dancing until my feet swell. I love my family, my friends, my job, my boss. And I love my body, especially the badonk.”

“He had an okay body. Not fat at all. And naturally toned abs. She could pour a shot of tequila down his belly and slurp it out of his navel without getting splashed in the face.”

A whole book compiled of quotes like this would surely make my head spin. Media “blitz” really has nothing to do with it. Regardless of how many people talk about it or how many “wowws” J-Woww gives it, this book would do nothing for me, but make me think even less of her.