It's been forever since I've actually written anything on this blog. Call me lazy, but I think it is just the impossibility for me to remember that I have a blog, and people may actually read it. As I sit here in my comfy bed and ponder forever, I realize that there's just a lot of the world to be discovered.
Questions have flowed through my mind about life, future, present, and the already fixed, yet mostly forgotten past. Questions about love, truth, and happiness continually surge through my thoughts, as if I had nothing better to think about (a man has to work and has to study, right?).
Today, I will pick back up my blog (I hope). My hardest thing is that no one holds me accountable to it- it is my creation, my thoughts, my realm. So as a celebratory kick off, here's a sip of coffee, and an ibuprofen to the amazing birthday party my family help for my pops (father in proper terms).
Here. here.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Food for thought
Remember that nearly everything is relative. Without light, there would be no darkness, but in total darkness, you would never know light. Without up, there would be no concept of down, without black, no white, without wrong no right. It is only a matter of time before we run into the wall of this reality.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Selling Out of a Undoubted "Oreo"
I long for the days when a person will not be seen by race, but as personality and culture. This isn't a plea against any racial discrimination, nor is it a plea for increased affirmative action. This isn't a call for a rally or a movement. This is simply a moment of realization and representation. One that has been abused on nearly all sides. One that is not only spreading, but is continually questioning the long standing stereotypes.
There are Blacks that don't like chicken, watermelon and Kool-Aid. (I just happen to.)
There are Asians who fail school.
Men have mood cycles.
Zombies don't eat their own brains.
There are Whites who don't like rock music and live in the suburbs.
There are Native Americans. Yes. They do still exist.
There are minorities who don't live in the hood.
And just because you hang out with Ray Ray doesn't mean he can be designated as your "TBK" (Token
Black Kid)
When you say "that is so ghetto", you probably haven't been to Rio de Janeiro.
No, I will not cook you soul food.
All races have parental issues.
No you cannot touch my hair. And no, I won't touch yours.
Just because my skin is dark doesn't mean I don't tan. And you do not get as dark as me when you tan.
Sorry.
Why are Blacks and Whites the only ethnic group determined by colors?
Yes.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Top Ten Funny and Random Names on Applications
It's that time of year for applications at my school and sometimes we get a little more than we expected. From birth certificates to deportation delay letters, we get many unnecessary things. But, frankly some of the names are the most interesting.
10. Media Peeples
9. Loucecite Latigue
8. Hedoo Sangpo
7. Myahaleigha (We figured it out... we think)
6. Divine Unique Doolittle
5. Yu Wan Hu (Don't go to her for a missing person's report.)
4. Thakchoy Thakchoy
3.Thugetta Summons
2. Bogdan Gaina (Pronounced Jyna)
1. Wendy Colon (Still the office winner.)
10. Media Peeples
9. Loucecite Latigue
8. Hedoo Sangpo
7. Myahaleigha (We figured it out... we think)
6. Divine Unique Doolittle
5. Yu Wan Hu (Don't go to her for a missing person's report.)
4. Thakchoy Thakchoy
3.Thugetta Summons
2. Bogdan Gaina (Pronounced Jyna)
1. Wendy Colon (Still the office winner.)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Unequal Equality
During the current debates, I have heard a few things that over time, I want to explore and invite you to explore them, too.
-There are claims claims to protect the right to religious freedom... on the basis that everyone follows one religion??
Religion (or the lack) is one of the largest influences in American society. Many moral "values" come from religious backgrounds, as well as some logical moral beliefs. I find it hilarious that we claim the United States as being a land with freedom of religion, yet many people say we are/must be a Christian nation. But last time I read the Constitution (which I am a bit rusty), there was not any specifications of one religion. Also, would the US being a Christian nation who creates our laws off of the laws in the Bible be any different institutionally than Saudi Arabia or any other country that upholds laws according to a religious text?
-There are claims of restoring America to prior values (which may entail the repeal of anti-discrimination laws).
These prior values make me laugh. Put Romney style, some people "want to restore America to the founding principles that made this country great." My question is what do you mean by "great", and at what period of time would you consider us as "great"? I am awful at history, but from what I can recall, women's rights and minority rights were all part of our recent history. (Older than me, but younger than my great-grandmother so to speak.) We maintain a strong military. We've had our strong economic boosts. We've even had many scientific breakthroughs. What we haven't had is equal rights. IF you call that "great", and you want to potentially turn back to that kind of world, then you shouldn't call yourself running for the POTUS...
-There is a lack of communication when clarifying "strong" ideals.
Every politician is a flip-flopper. Whether it be for political gain, personal realization, or just utter confusion about a topic, all politicians are going to change somewhat. The sad thing is that some of them flip flop the wrong way. It reminds me of a fish that is washed ashore next to lake, yet flops the wrong direction.
-There is a clear lack of understanding the idea of rights of the American people.
Your ideas are not the ideas of the American people. Nobody ever will fully represent the ideas of the American people. Yours values only represent a portion of the values of the American people. Your religion is only a portion of the American people. I have come to realize that many people don't have a full understanding of the rights that are protected under the Constitution. It even bothers me that people don't look and see what they are. Rights are granted to every American, and yet they relate to every American in different ways. The protection of one group should never negate the security of another.
What do you think?
-There are claims claims to protect the right to religious freedom... on the basis that everyone follows one religion??
Religion (or the lack) is one of the largest influences in American society. Many moral "values" come from religious backgrounds, as well as some logical moral beliefs. I find it hilarious that we claim the United States as being a land with freedom of religion, yet many people say we are/must be a Christian nation. But last time I read the Constitution (which I am a bit rusty), there was not any specifications of one religion. Also, would the US being a Christian nation who creates our laws off of the laws in the Bible be any different institutionally than Saudi Arabia or any other country that upholds laws according to a religious text?
-There are claims of restoring America to prior values (which may entail the repeal of anti-discrimination laws).
These prior values make me laugh. Put Romney style, some people "want to restore America to the founding principles that made this country great." My question is what do you mean by "great", and at what period of time would you consider us as "great"? I am awful at history, but from what I can recall, women's rights and minority rights were all part of our recent history. (Older than me, but younger than my great-grandmother so to speak.) We maintain a strong military. We've had our strong economic boosts. We've even had many scientific breakthroughs. What we haven't had is equal rights. IF you call that "great", and you want to potentially turn back to that kind of world, then you shouldn't call yourself running for the POTUS...
-There is a lack of communication when clarifying "strong" ideals.
Every politician is a flip-flopper. Whether it be for political gain, personal realization, or just utter confusion about a topic, all politicians are going to change somewhat. The sad thing is that some of them flip flop the wrong way. It reminds me of a fish that is washed ashore next to lake, yet flops the wrong direction.
-There is a clear lack of understanding the idea of rights of the American people.
Your ideas are not the ideas of the American people. Nobody ever will fully represent the ideas of the American people. Yours values only represent a portion of the values of the American people. Your religion is only a portion of the American people. I have come to realize that many people don't have a full understanding of the rights that are protected under the Constitution. It even bothers me that people don't look and see what they are. Rights are granted to every American, and yet they relate to every American in different ways. The protection of one group should never negate the security of another.
What do you think?
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Unblissful Ignorance of "Political Faith"
Not many Americans are completely out of touch with the socio-politcal debates occuring for the 2012 elections. In particular, the highlights of the internal war of the GOP provides comedic relief (as if 2000-2008 didn't provide enough). Out of the many flawed views of the American people (which admittedly come from all parties), the GOP has had some really large flukes that remain too much to discuss in this one post. My point of focus for this one post is Rick Santorum and his seemingly ignorantly rooted bias that faith and education cannot exist.
Put simply, Obama wants all Americans to at least attempt to attend a school of higher education. Put even more simply, he wants every family to be able to provide this opportunity for their kids. So Santorum, who by the way holds two higher education degrees, and has college savings plans for several of his children, retorts that:
1) Obama wants everyone to go to college, states that "some liberal college professor" would be "trying to indoctrinate them."
2) Obama is a snob for wanting everyone to go to college.
3) Not everyone wants to go to college. And to lay out a 4 year plan devalues vocational training.
Now, I don't want to call any of these stupid, but all of these are stupid reasons. First, when you see the benefits any person attending college and how many more work opportunities are provided for those with degrees, you would automatically dismiss the prospect that wanting every student to go to college as snobbish.
Another thing is that not every college is "liberal" college. The ignorance of this statement should prove to Americans that Santorum is not for progress in American secondary education, especially when on an international realm, higher education is much better in other parts of the world. I bet if Obama specifically mentioned religious institutions, Santorum still would have had to say something thati s negative.
Do you think Santorum and his faith should override the idea of access to higher education?
Put simply, Obama wants all Americans to at least attempt to attend a school of higher education. Put even more simply, he wants every family to be able to provide this opportunity for their kids. So Santorum, who by the way holds two higher education degrees, and has college savings plans for several of his children, retorts that:
1) Obama wants everyone to go to college, states that "some liberal college professor" would be "trying to indoctrinate them."
2) Obama is a snob for wanting everyone to go to college.
3) Not everyone wants to go to college. And to lay out a 4 year plan devalues vocational training.
Now, I don't want to call any of these stupid, but all of these are stupid reasons. First, when you see the benefits any person attending college and how many more work opportunities are provided for those with degrees, you would automatically dismiss the prospect that wanting every student to go to college as snobbish.
Another thing is that not every college is "liberal" college. The ignorance of this statement should prove to Americans that Santorum is not for progress in American secondary education, especially when on an international realm, higher education is much better in other parts of the world. I bet if Obama specifically mentioned religious institutions, Santorum still would have had to say something thati s negative.
Do you think Santorum and his faith should override the idea of access to higher education?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
An Ending Phase, A Completed Mission
I believe life is about stages, transitions, shifts and goals. We are constantly supposed to grow, shape, move and gain, in order to be the best we can be.
A lesson that I've learned (and continue learning) is one of vision and sight. It is a vision of a future that takes us to the next place in life. The biggest secret to success is the ability to see it. Two years ago, if you were to ask me whether or not I'd want to move back to NYC, I'd look at you and list reasons why I would never even consider it. But God had different plans.
It had been several years since I had been to visit my family in the North. I had always said that I would come to visit and see everyone, but my demands were high and my motivation to go up North was low. It is funny how things that you think are good, are bad, but God takes those things and makes them better. I came to NY to get away from SC in January of last year. I wanted to get away and pursue something I knew wasn't meant for me to have. But, despite my knowledge, I came up here anyway. It took me three or four visits to realize that I really wanted to come to NYC. Something inside of me knew that it was the next place.
Looking back, I realize that it took my naivety to get me up here. God brought me here to have a vision, a sight, of what He needed me to do next. So I planned and I gave myself a year. A year to do what? Ask me then, and I didn't know. I prayed and prepared and the day after graduation, I was on my way.
Within 3 months, I had a job. Within 6 months, I had an apartment. Within 7 months, I connected with one of the greatest human beings I have met. Within 8 months, I was accepted into Graduate School. Within 9 months, I found a good church. And looking at the 10th month, I realize that I have not only succeeded in the previously listed goals, but God had goals set and I have succeeded in those, too.
I believe humans tend to always think that a step up is going from bad to good, rough to smooth. I am realizing now that God doesn't only do that, but He more than enjoys taking us from good to better, wonderful to spectacular.
I don't know exactly what lies ahead, though I have an idea. A vision. I choose not to settle until I know, for sure, where I will be next.
A lesson that I've learned (and continue learning) is one of vision and sight. It is a vision of a future that takes us to the next place in life. The biggest secret to success is the ability to see it. Two years ago, if you were to ask me whether or not I'd want to move back to NYC, I'd look at you and list reasons why I would never even consider it. But God had different plans.
It had been several years since I had been to visit my family in the North. I had always said that I would come to visit and see everyone, but my demands were high and my motivation to go up North was low. It is funny how things that you think are good, are bad, but God takes those things and makes them better. I came to NY to get away from SC in January of last year. I wanted to get away and pursue something I knew wasn't meant for me to have. But, despite my knowledge, I came up here anyway. It took me three or four visits to realize that I really wanted to come to NYC. Something inside of me knew that it was the next place.
Looking back, I realize that it took my naivety to get me up here. God brought me here to have a vision, a sight, of what He needed me to do next. So I planned and I gave myself a year. A year to do what? Ask me then, and I didn't know. I prayed and prepared and the day after graduation, I was on my way.
Within 3 months, I had a job. Within 6 months, I had an apartment. Within 7 months, I connected with one of the greatest human beings I have met. Within 8 months, I was accepted into Graduate School. Within 9 months, I found a good church. And looking at the 10th month, I realize that I have not only succeeded in the previously listed goals, but God had goals set and I have succeeded in those, too.
I believe humans tend to always think that a step up is going from bad to good, rough to smooth. I am realizing now that God doesn't only do that, but He more than enjoys taking us from good to better, wonderful to spectacular.
I don't know exactly what lies ahead, though I have an idea. A vision. I choose not to settle until I know, for sure, where I will be next.
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