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?

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.

Created this one just for all of you!

The Overcompensation of a Minority American

Now, I know every one will not agree with me, and this may offend a lot of people, but I'm not here to butter it up. I'm here to express an idea.

Many people have always heard the phrase "you have nothing to prove," but time after time there is a feeling of having to prove something. Whether that be to his or herself, or to family or friends, boss or strangers, people move out of their way to prove something, whatever that may be, to someone. 

Personally, as I have gotten older and grown more mature, I've noticed a mannerism that is common in many people in the two largest minority groups: Blacks and Hispanics. This mannerism is not always a negative one, but it is one that I feel shouldn't exist in today's world, but still does. It's the action of overcompensating for success. 

Now, there are many sides to excuse this overcompensation, but I don't have the time to explore all of them, so I'll only state a few. 

1. Being a minority in White America. (I've heard this a lot and I cannot completely disagree with it.)

2. My Mama's Mama's Mama's Mama couldn't do it so now I HAVE to.

3. I am just being me. (I hate this one.)

4. I'm only satisfied with the best. (My question is according to who.)

I have no problems with going for the gold, doing your best or making yourself into the best person you can be. But something in the US that minorities have to deal with (and also some poor whites) is  the feeling of being an other. And as an other, you feel pushed out. For example, if you were the scrawny kid, the too tall kid, the short kid, the fat kid, etc., you felt left out. In order to gain acceptance, you would, in turn, do something that only you can do in order to prove to the others that you are cool, too. 

So I ask you. What are your thoughts? 

What's that now?

I've never imagined myself working in an office until I moved up to NYC and thought, "Hey, I'd like to work in an office!" And there began my journey to working in an office. Now you may ask "aren't you the artsy, eccentric, crazy, sometimes a little bit obnoxious type?" And I'd say "Your face." But all of that is besides the point. What I want to explore today are the office do's and don'ts of working in an office with me.

1. Never (EVER O.O) steal my pens. This one is universal, but just in case you forget, remind yourself to try not to look like this guy.

This guy got the full wrath.

2. What's in my desk, should stay in my desk, even if it is yours. 

3. If I offer you cat butts, you take the cat butts. If you don't know what cat butts are, then you are missing out on a good thing.

I know I just ruined your whole idea of what they were. Sweetened cat butts are the best.

4. Things that are labeled with my name are taken. Sometimes people don't know how to read, so I gladly make sure that things referenced are in my desk. Refer to #2 for details.

5. If I laugh, you laugh, we all laugh, then I stop.

6. Refer to #1.