A Faded Memory

So many memories long gone, growing fainter as the days go on.
Like the pages of a book these memories fade away.
While the text may still be seen it become harder to decipher as it ages.
For no sole cares if this book falls to ruin, as it collects dust on an old shelf.
Years pass and this book becomes useless.
The words are faded away thus the message is forgotten.
In other words, keep memories of the past alive within the present.
The more you try and disregard what had occurred in the past, the more dust that will accumulate.
And believe me there will come a time and place where you or someone you know will have a similar problem that you had.
If you simply forget what you had learned, you'll have to start your book all over again.  

Come on already....

Anticipation is like a ticking clock.
Tick tock, tick tock as stress builds.
You spend days and weeks of waiting.
Each and every day you check the mail, but to no avail.
Time passes and you begin to ask yourself whether you did enough to get into the college of your dreams.

You come home one day to find mail on the table.
You look through and find a letter from a college.
However, this school isn't your number one choice, but eager to find out you open the letter up.
You got in.
Your happy that you're in, but deep down inside you wish the letter from your dream college would've arrived.
A few more weeks pass and you come home to find a letter from your dream college.
Your heart beats faster as you go to open the letter.
Did you get in?
What will that mean if you did?
 

The Court

The basketball court beneath me was sleek and smooth, yet stored within the wood were memories.
Days of victory, triumph and loss remained ingrained.
It was this basketball court that brought us together as one community.
Was it the love for the game that brought us together?
Perhaps.
Or was it something far more than basketball could ever show us?

 

The Architecture of Writing

When it comes to writing, everyone has different technique for constructing a written piece.
Some of these ways might be more effective or ineffective based on the individual.
In many ways I see my writing much like how an architect plans out a building.
At the base of the building one has the foundation that holds the rest of the building up.
In other words, this is your first few sentences.
Some sentences will flow and connect, but if there is no base to build off of one can go no further.
Then one reaches the walls, or the supporting structure that is built upon the base.
If these walls don't have the right support they will fall down.
Likewise if your roof doesn't have enough walls or supporting structures, your building will collapse and crumble into pieces.
Therefore, it is up to the architect to constantly change and revise his or hers plans; for no structure is perfect at the first take.
 

A Mystic Fire

The crackling fire left a glimmer in the man’s eyes.
For within this fire he saw a reflection of himself.
An image he regretted, yet no matter how much he tried looking away, the fire lured him in like a predator seeking its prey.
In a way the fire gave him pleasure along with regret.
It was this curiosity that drew him in closer to the crackling fire and as he got closer and closer he grew colder.
Yet as he drew away from the fire he became warmer.
Decisions had to be made.
He put out the fire and walked away a better man.

A Year in Review: Giving Thanks

2014, where to begin?  It hard to believe, that we've nearly reached the end. So much has happened already this year and I am grateful for those who made it possible. For starters I'd like to thank my Mom and Dad for helping me apply to college. They were always the one driving force that motivated me to go to college. They went with me to all my college tours and supported me along the way. If was not for them I am not exactly sure whether or not I would've gotten into my dream college.  In addition, many thanks to Ms. Mello, along with Mr. Tarlin and all the other people who helped me with improving my college essays.

I would also like to thank everyone down at Flyer News, my high school television studio. Without them I do not think that I would've been able to make a documentary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB1hRfCWuvU) to the quality that I did. With the guidance of Mr. Lin, I was able to learn more than I ever thought possible. Along the way he gave me tips and tricks when it came to shooting the documentary.  I appreciated his mentorship and couldn't have asked for anything more. In addition, to Mr. Lin I'd like to thank Ken. Whenever I needed help with anything technical he was always there to help me out. Primarily when it came to video editing he taught me some of the basic principles that I will continue to build on for the years to come.

In June ,when I graduated from high school all my uncles and aunts drove cross country from MN just to see me. Words cannot describe how appreciative I am for them coming. It really made my graduation experience a whole lot more memorable. Special thanks to other family and friends that came as well, we certainly all had a blast!

Finally I'd like to thank my public relations professor, Kirk Hazlet. When I came to Curry I was unsure of myself and was extremely nervous. I remember going into my first Wednesday class with him and I was taken aback by his enthusiasm for public relations. In many ways he is very contagious and will do almost anything to lure you onto joining the "dark side" as he puts it. Although I have only taken one class with him I look forward to the future as he counties to inspire and motivate me into becoming a public relations professional down the road.
 

The Accumlation of One's Life

In many ways, one can consider the course of life a lot like going to high school or going to college.
When we get right out of high school, we are a freshman.
We are introduced to the adult world, where money and responsibility become integral in our day to day lives.
It's at this point in our lives that we vary from others, each taking an individual path.
Once we get our first job we are a sophomore.
While we do have some basic understanding of how the world works and revolves, we are still fairly inexperienced and may still need some guidance.
Whether this guidance comes from our parents, friends or a mentor its a big part of shaping us into who we will become.
By the time we have become juniors, we have a clear sense of who we are and what direction to head in.
While there is still a large road ahead, we've overcome various obstacles or challenges that have shaped us into who we are at that present moment.
As a senior we have an accumulation of different experiences, thoughts, beliefs, obstacles and relationships.
It is at this point in our lives that we look back on our lives and determine whether we believe that we led a successful life.
For some of us the answer might be plain and simple, while for the rest of us we can't really decided whether or not we were successful or not.
Regardless though, although we may not realize it, we are a mentor to the present and coming generations.
Everything that has happened to us has taught us something about ourselves.
These events shaped us into a stronger person.
Therefore as a senior, it is our responsibility to share what we have learned throughout the course of our lives, in hopes that our children lead a better life than we could have ever imagined.   

I will love you every step of the way....

As I step out into the sun light, I see the world as it is.
Then I turn around and I see you.
A beautiful girl, so elegant and charming.
Like the leaves in the fall your beauty is but only peaking.
However, instead of falling to the ground like all leaves do, your beauty is preserved within the moment.
Much like a frozen icicle dangling from the rooftops.
The sun shines through you as you glimmer with each coming day.
Yet knowing that you'll be there with me every step of the way gives me pure joy and satisfaction.
And when I turn back around and see the world as it is, I'll know that I can step into the world and be a better man than I ever was.

 

Our Dreams

One step at a time I believe that we can see the world.
We can explore what has not yet been discovered or seen.
Our imagination is the only limit that could hold us back.
If we wished to go to the moon, we could.
If we wished to lie in a field like a stray flower, we could.
Your dreams are my dreams and together we will aspire to achieve what seems impossible.
Along the way we will stop and help those in need.
We will build houses, bridges and cities but only leave behind foot prints.
For there is no due credit or recognition we seek.
We are simply living out our wildest dreams and that's all we could ever ask for.  
 

It's not about winning the game....

 

            When it comes to winning in any sort of situation, whether it is in a sporting event, competition, or award ceremony to what extent are we willing to go in order to win? Are we willing to sacrifice what is right and only think of ourselves? Or will we work as a team to achieve something far more valuable than any award or trophy could ever give us?  And if so what will that mean to us in the future?

            I have never been the best baseball player but I would always try my hardest to contribute to the team in any way that I could. I always played outfield and whenever the ball came to me I would throw the ball to where ever it needed to be. However, when it came to one particular season, I became one of the key factors to my team’s success.  During this season I was one of the driving forces that brought in the most runs. Whenever I would go up to bat I would either get hit by the pitch or be walked. As a result I got on base very often. When I first started getting on base, I tried to steal bases but had difficulty getting the hang of it. In one particular practice the coach worked with me on sliding and stealing bases. As a result I led the league in the most stolen bases, as well as the most walks. By the end of the season we had made it to the play offs. We had worked so hard as a team all around and it did not matter if we had won or lost. We were just glad that we had made it to this point. We ended up winning two playoff games which led us to the championship. It was what happened at the championship game that came to teach us all a very important lesson about life.

            It was the bottom of the ninth and we were up by one. There were two outs and a runner on third.  The coach on the other team decided to make an illegal substitution by replacing the batter who was about to go up with his best hitter on the team.  Parents got outraged and started yelling at the umpire to do something. The umpire called time out and had the two coaches come to the plate and talk. The coach on the other team started yelling and screaming at my coach, but my coach kept it cool. My coach decided not to challenge or argue with the other coach and left the mound. The umpire ultimately decided to let the other coach switch his batter. As a result we ended up losing the game and getting second place.

            After the game was over, our coach had us all sit down and had a talk. He asked us what we thought we did well during the season. We talked about how we all worked as a team and supported one another. Whenever someone on the team had a particular area of weakness, we would as a team work with and encourage that person to become better at what they were struggling with. 

Then we had a discussion about the game we just played and I will always remember what the coach said to us that night, “Boys in life, winning the game is not what is important, it’s how you play it and how you remember it. If you play the game just to win you’re not really playing the game. Baseball, or any sport in general is about having fun and working as a team.  Don’t get me wrong winning is important, but there comes a point where it doesn’t matter if you’ve won or lost. It’s what you were able to accomplish up to that point that makes the world of a difference. We made it so far thanks to you guys. We worked as a team and played the hardest that we could and in my book that’s all that will ever matter. To me you are all true champions, no matter what happens in the game, or in life.”

Taking Risks

            We all take risks in our lives the greatest question that comes to mind however, is how much are we willing to risk? Are we willing to spend money to achieve success and risk the possibility of failure? Or do we take a risk on something because we are passionate about it? Do we risk our future on someone we love or are interested in? Do we risk for the thrill of the life, but undermine what the consequences of our actions will be?  To be truthful, it’s a little bit of everything it’s just a matter of how we perceive are lives that will come to define us.

            College for example is a huge risk. Some people go into college not knowing what they want to do or what they want to become. This is not to say that this is a bad thing because college is about figuring out what it is that you are good at however, you do risk not finding something.  College costs a lot of money and some people come to realize that college is not for them. This leaves them with a heavy financial burden as well as the burden of figuring out what it is exactly that you want to do for the rest of their lives.

            Another risk people often take is in relationships. Some people get so wrapped up in a fantasy of their relationship that they don’t think long term. What works well and great now might not work as well in the future. This is not to say that you should not take risks in your relationships, but go into the relationship with an open mind for everything might not always go according to plan.

            Other people take risks for the thrill. Whether it is for the lottery or for an amusement park ride, it’s the ambiguity that generates hype. As a result, there can be both positive and negative effects of such behavior. People who are addicted to buying lottery tickets often lose lots of money. It’s their philosophy to go big or go home. However, it always seems that the people you’d least expect win the lottery. It’s this opportunity that can change a person’s life forever. On the other hand, people also take risks on roller coasters as well as other attractions. For the most part this is not negative however when going on a ride you do risk your life. Your entrusting whomever built the ride that whatever contraption you’re in will keep you safe throughout the ride. There have been many incidents where the safety systems failed and resulted in some ones death. Yet we still choose to ride that ride regardless of what might have happened. We choose our fate on this earth, but then the question becomes, is it really worth all the risk?

The Value of Good Customer Service at a Glance: A Changing of Philosophy

Customer service has always been something that will leave an impression on the consumer. If the provider makes an active role in making the customer feel welcomed, the customer is more likely to come back or give a favorable review. However, if the provider pays little to no attention to what the customer wants or needs the customer will be left feeling lost. How then do we provide good customer service and at the same time stay within our means?

It is my philosophy that we develop a more personal relationship when it comes to day to day business.Rather than just introducing ourselves we should get to know who we are helping. An opponent may say but how can we give that kind of individual attention when time is money.This philosophy should be done away with. As much as money is valuable in the short term, it's the relationship that matters most. If you establish a strong relationship with each individual they will ultimately see your company as more genuine.

The Truth Behind Reality Televison

Long gone are the days of television where originality and storytelling were the most important aspect.  Now and days television has become more about the profit you can turn around in each show, rather than the actual quality of the content. More often than not we see reality TV shows over taking the market. Whether it is shows such as American Idol, Survivor, The Bachelor and etc... there is a show that fits every personality type.

But why do we watch these show? For the entertainment? For the drama? Often times we tend to over proportionalize reality TV. We seem to undermine the principles of privacy, romance and self - image. In shows such as The Bachelor the events that unfold tend to be over dramatized to the point of being crude. Shows like this have skewed the meaning of love.  You cannot fall in love with someone in such a setting without it being artificial. Love is something that meant to be found not created.

Privacy is something that has become nonexistent in todays media as well as television. Shows like TMZ talk about celebrity gossip and mishaps. It seems that if a celebrity drops a piece of trash and pick it up that it's the biggest deal in the world. First of all its just a piece of trash. Second of all who cares? Celebrities should have the right to some personal privacy in their lives. After all how would you like it if someone were to stick a camera in your face and follow you everywhere you went? Would you be comfortable with it? What happened to personal space?  Obviously now and days this is lacking. 

What also bothers me is shows like Jersey Shore or Keeping up with the Kardashians, yet again these shows exhibit what I spoke on before over dramatization. They turn little things into artificial arguments.  More than half the time the arguments are pointless and add nothing to the show. All these fights and conflicts add is viewers but why? Your'e watching something that has little to no point in life. In reality most of these situations would never happen, there created for TV and that is there sole purpose. You don't gain any knowledge from this. So what's the point?

Finally and most evidently is self -image. Where ever you look whether it is in magazine, movies, television or other forums of media, image is plastered everywhere. It's a philosophy that if you don't look or dress a certain way your'e not considered beautiful. In reality none of this is true. You are as beautiful or as handsome as you perceive yourself to be. It because of brand marketing that we as a society feel so obligated to get a certain item. Whether it's a shoe or a particular brand of clothing if we see that person in a movie or on television promoting that item we feel more inclined to have that item. What we must keep in mind is our sense of individuality, if we lose sight of that we become the medias image and not our own.

In comparison, classic TV shows such as Leave it to Beaver have a sentimental value that is lacking in most of todays TV. Although it was a simple idea and a simple show it spoke on values of having a family. It's these simple set of values that are often times over looked in our modern day society.

Think, Rationalize and Then Discover

Why is it that as humans we are so inclined to ask questions?
Is it because of our thirst for knowledge and power?
Is it because these questions branch off each other?
Or is it the reason far deeper than we could ever imagine?

We ask questions because there is a plethora of information in the world waiting to be sought out.
This information is not always obvious or to our liking but once we find the answer, we might be eager to dig deeper.  
So how then do we determine what to ask?
Do certain questions take precedence over each other?
Or is there no bad question to ask?
When asking a question there are three key factors we must take into account: thinking, rationalizing and discovery.  

While thinking and rationalizing can be considered very similar in the broad scope of things, there are a few minor differences that distinguish them.
For starters when we rationalize something we are justifying that it is valid or has a logical premise.
When we are thinking we are not always rationalizing right away, rationalizing comes after a question has been asked.
It is only after we have rationalized our own question that we can move on to discovering the answer.

Learning to Live and Overcome a Learning Disability

If you really got to know me, you'd never come to expect that I have a learning disability. To most people I seem like just an ordinary kid trying his best to succeed. But in reality my success did not come easy. It took discipline, hard work and dedication to get to where I am today. So the question that is then raised is how did I overcome my disability when all odds were stacked against me?

It all began in third grade when I transferred elementary schools. It was determined after a few tests that I had a language processing disability. To put it into simple terms anything that involved comprehension such as writing, reading, speaking or mathematics took me longer to learn. I was placed into a separate classroom with other kids that had learning disabilities. We focused on learning strategies and were presented with obstacles one at a time.

Mathematics by far proved to be one of my most challenging subjects. I dedicated hours onto practicing the material yet I still struggled. However this did not stop me. Whenever I did not understand something I would always go to the math teacher for extra help. I valued my education very much and was not willing to allow math to prevent me from accomplishing success.

In addition to math, I also had trouble in English. Ever since I was younger writing was always a challenge for me. Whenever I would write anything it would always come out jumbled. I had so many ideas to put down and no way to organize them. As a result I got very frustrated with writing and never really enjoyed doing it. It was not until I began to use a graphic organizer, that I was able to formulate my thoughts more clearly. I later came to realize through the help of my homeroom teacher, that writing was more important than I ever thought it be in my life. Writing became my passion and it became something that I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life.

My educational experience although not yet done, has taught me immensely about self-discipline. The reality is not everything in life is going to come as easy to everyone. There will be obstacles that you'll have to overcome. Whether it's in your relationships, your job or life in general you learn to work around them. Sometimes what was an obstacle becomes something that grows to change you and shape you into whom you are. Ultimately, we must not lose sight of our potential. For our potential is our oneself motivating factor that will either grow to define us or change us into who we are today. I leave you with this quote from Muhammad Ali Jinnah:
"With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve."

  

       

Understanding Effective Public Relations at a Glance

 

In the world we live in public relations is a vital aspect of corporate, government, nonprofit organizations that allows them to communicate and maintain the standpoint of their company.  One may ask, “what exactly is involved in effective public relations?’ There are six key areas that all public relations professionals should have knowledge in. These areas include: writing ability, problem solving, and expertise in social media, planning expertise, business and economic sense as well as research ability.   While all these areas are crucial to an organization’s success, problem solving and social media expertise are the most vital aspects.  

            At one point or another in our lives we will face obstacles that we will have to overcome. Most of these obstacles come out of nowhere and we can’t always control them. The question then becomes how we overcome these unforeseen problems. In public relations particularly how we problem solve is vital. What we say and how we say it will affect the public’s opinion of our organization. We must also take into consideration how the media will react. The media could either blow what we said way out of proportion or dismiss it completely. Either way word choice is vital. So how then do we effectively communicate with not only the media but also the general public?  We do this by using social media.

            In this day and age social media has become a part of everyday life. Companies everywhere use social media to discover public opinion. Being able to navigate as well as communicate effectively through social media works hand in hand with problem solving. As public relation professionals we can understand what the public thinks of a particular situation, we can tailor what we say to the general consensus.

              Ultimately, as public relations professional how we handle public opinion as well as problem solving will determine our company’s future. The better we are able to communicate, understand and resolve issues will either make or break our future success.  

A Grain of Sand

The sand beneath my feet sinks with every step I take.
Each grain of sand is parted like the waves of the sea.
Yet even when my footprint gets washed away the indentation remains ingrained, much like a long lasting memory.
For someday someone will step in the same place that I did.
We leave behind our mark, our footprint.
Some footprints will be bigger, others will be smaller.
The size however, does not matter, it's what you leave behind that distinguishes you from everyone else.

Smile Upon the Sleeve

In every smile there is a hidden story. Some people use a smile to cover their sleeve. They don't want to be seen as vulnerable because they are afraid of what others will think or say. So instead they keep it inside and let it build. Yet it is these people that put others happiness ahead of their own. To them seeing others happiness is like a security blanket. They feel as if they help others find happiness that this  will give them a sense of fulfillment. However it is this happiness that they are so envious for. Yet when it comes to finding their own happiness they come to a cross road. 

Moonlight

She is my moonlight, my one and only.
So far away from grasp, yet I can still see her light.
She illuminates the night sky with a beautiful brilliance.
One that is filled with immaculate colors entangled within a rich life.  

College Week 1 First Imperissons

Anxious.... is the best way to describe how I feel in my first week of college. There are so many new people that it can be somewhat overwhelming. I find myself lost amongst the crowd, eagerly waiting to find out what comes next. Questions upon questions have filled my head: Will I fit in? What clubs should I join? What's the best way to study? Many of these questions are yet to be answered, yet I am confident that I'll find my niche.

This first week is a big transition for me. The biggest difference I've found so far is the environment. Back at home the environment never really changed. In college the environment changes day to day. Some days are sleepy days while others are filled with life and energy.  Those who surround you affect and influence you're actions. There is no one here to tell you when to do this and when to do that. You make you're own choices, your own decisions. Some will affect you, others will affect those around you. This is a new chapter in all of our lives and it won't be easy. We've made it  into college and that in itself is an achievement. As we approach our first day of classes we come to a cross road. In front of this cross road there is a sign pointing in all different directions. Starting tomorrow we will begin walking down one of those paths but have no fear. For a misguided person can always walk back to the start and think things over. He/she must think rationally; What path will work for me? Am I sure that this is the right decision? If I  go down this path will I be able to return? No one has the answers to these questions accept you're self. So get up, go on and choose your journey.    

Jimbo the Pool Bug

It was a hot summer day in late August the sun was shining and the heat was rising.
Upon this day I decided to go swimming in my pool.
One of my duties is to clean the pool of all the dead bugs.
As I skimmed the top I came upon a brown beetle that is still alive, I scooped him up with my net and put them on the side of the pool.
A few moments later to my surprise I saw this beetle on the edge of the pool about ready to fall back in.
At first I thought that he had come to give me his gratitude for saving him, after all he would've drowned.
But instead he said "Cannon Ball!" and jumped back in.
I scooped them back up with my net and said to him "Why did you just jump in if I just saved you?"
He replied, "Who said I needed saving?"
"Let me think, you?"
"When?"
"You were screaming save me, save me."
"No I wasn't."
"Then why did you jump into the net as soon as I put in the water?"
"I don't remember ever doing that."
"Whatever dude I'm going swimming."
A few moments later he began screaming "Help me! Help me!"
I swam on over and scooped him up with the net.
Yet again he yelled at me and then jump back in.
A few minutes later, I found his dead body floating in the water.
The moral of the story you may ask?
If a bug wants to swim let them swim.


 

Real vs. Phony Friends

There will be two kinds of people in life: the real and the phony.
The phony people will be like perennial flowers: they are only around to soak up water but will disappear after a short time.
The real people are like a caterpillar.
When you first start off you'll start to become close friends.
As you're relationship begins to strengthen you're cocoon forums and when you're time comes you will hatch.
You'll have become something much more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.

Burning Passion

The flames of a fire are much like you and me.
We both have different shades of color, but it is in the center that we have the most in common.
We are both fueled by similar ideals and it is what we love the most about each other that ignites the fire.
 

Understanding Confidence

One of the most important lessons we can learn in our early childhood is the concept of confidence.
This idea can be seen in the popular children's book: Thomas the Train. In this story Thomas is faced with a great challenge: climbing up a hill.
When Thomas initially tries going up the hill he struggles to get up.
At some point or another he believes that he won't be able to make it up, but after telling himself that he can, he's able to accomplish his goal.
This simple story has the basis of one of my major philosophies.
In order to accomplish something, you must first think that you can do it, otherwise you'll go nowhere.
After thinking that you can do it, you must try it because just thinking about the task at hand will only take you so far.
 Therefore, it's only after you try something that you can begin to build the confidence you need in order to accomplish something greater.

The Day in the Life of a Cat

Humans will never understand me.
Oh how I pity them.
They constantly walk from place to place, I do not know why though.
It's so much easier just to sleep.
Walking around takes far to much energy.
Humans always say that I wallow around all day, but that's were they are wrong.
It takes methodical planning on my part to decide where and when to sleep.
I have to consider the angle of the sun and adjust myself accordingly.
Think that's tough?
That's just the beginning.
In between planning out my sleep times, I have to allow some time to stare out the window and watch the birds.
Sometimes the birds aren't there and it throws off my whole schedule.
If I am desperate I'll watch the squirrels, but I usually leave the squirrels to doofus the dog.
He's always barking at them and it often disturbs my sleep.
That's the other thing, this guy comes every once and awhile with these papers and doofus the dog goes crazy.
It's like just a dude no reason to be barking bloody murder.
Anyways, after I'm done bird watching I usually go and have another nap.
Within a few minutes though doofus the dog will start barking again and I won't be able to sleep.
Sigh how I wish he could keep quiet.
The best part of the day is when the humans come home.
They always give me afternoon belly rubs that feel amazing.
I usually will fall asleep and when I wake up it's a new day, a new journey, a new conquest that will change each coming day.

Power Vs. Perception

Power needs perception, but perception does not need power.
In the book 1984 by George Orwell.
The government had complete control over it's citizen's lives.
What they said, what they did and what they perceived was all controlled by the government.
However there was a few people like Winston Smith, who used outside perception to try and out wit the government. 
So then the question we must ask is which is more important?
Does how we perceive life effect how much power we have, or are they equal?
Is power more desirable than perception, and if so does it skew perception?
Or does perception become clear when power is held?

An Old Man's Tale

It was a dark and stormy night as I went out onto the sea.
The waves rocked the boat back and forth like a baby in a cradle.
The violent wind was like a drunken man's cry that pierced through the night air.
A great many men would have turned back but I pressed on.
A blinding rain began to fall and soon my boat became flooded with water.
As I began to sink I could only think of one thing: my love for the sea.

I awoke the next morning on land.
My ship was destroyed and pieces were scattered across the sandy beach.
I looked out into the horizon and saw the sun rise.
I was overtaken by it's beauty.
In a way sun rises are a lot like music.
We all have different interpretations of how it's sound effects us.
Yet we all can agree upon it's beauty.
A few days later I went back out to sea.  
Call me crazy, call me brave, call me what will but never forget my tale.

The Importance of Spirit

One of the most important values that we should instill within children is spirit.
Spirit is a fundamental aspect of life.
Whether it be in religion, sports, or other activities, spirit teaches us to have faith in an ideal.
Without faith in something the ideal loses not only its value, but also its power.
Without its value and power it loses its influence.
Therefore the more faith we put into something the more of a difference it will make.

  

Why is it that we are attracted to another person?
Is it because of their looks or personality?
Or is it because we hold common ideals or dreams?
The question we then must ask is what is love?
Love is defined as a mutual bond or attraction in which two people share.
Think of relationships as a magnet.
The reason that south repels south is because they are to much alike.
Whereas north and south have enough in common and some difference that they attract.  

Let's Pretend

Let's pretend for a moment that we are above it all.
The skies are light and our wings glide upon the thin air.
Let's pretend for a moment that fall is really spring and that winter is really summer.
There is less to worry about, less to do.
The days seem fuller of life this way.

Cry of Freedom

The days of liberty and justice draw closer.
A great many battles we have faced yet, above it all our flag stands tall.
She was our symbol, our hope, our guidance, our patience.
Alas, for the dawn of the new day rises over the horizon and with it.... comes our freedom.

Searching for the Answers: The Simple Life

A simple life is one that is filled with brilliance and happiness.
It's a life that we can fly amongst the shooting stars.
It's a life where September becomes October.
It's a life where there are many cross roads.
Some are made of stone, others of dirt.
There will come a point in our lives in which the sun will rise from the west and set in the east.
At this moment we are infinite and the world is ours to explore.
There is no right or wrong direction to go, even if it contradicts the norm.
We will come to realize one day that the simplest of lives aren't always tangible.
Rather, they are something that we feel within our hearts.  

The Fundamentals of Change: Understanding the How and the Why

We all want to change the world, but the question is how?
Education gives us the tools we need in order to accomplish the how.
However, before we can understand the how we must understand the why.
If we don't understand the why we are doing something then we won't have the motivation to look into the how.
Therefore our knowledge will in turn act as a stepping stone for change.
How much change is up to how drastically we act.

The roar of the crowd is about as invigorating as fire works bursting in the sky.
No matter where you sit you are apart of the game.
The spirit and the love of  the game clinches the air.
This is the city that  above all has shown resilience and strength.
This is Boston and We are Boston Strong.  

The Digital Divide: To Disconnect or Connect the Digtal Revoultion

              As society continues to grow technology has become a vital aspect of an individual’s everyday lives. Everywhere people are surrounded by technology. Whether it is computers, smartphones or even in cars there is no escape from the pressing need for technology. Modern day technology provides several benefits but it is also associated with many social risks. Many factors attribute to these social risks such as: lack of face to face communication, cyber bullying and texting while driving.  The fall out of communication technology has attributed to many social repercussions which in turn have harmed society.

                Whether it is a social gathering or out for a walk in the park people will see individuals glued to their smartphones. They believe that their world will fall apart if they lose that connection. Warren Adler who wrote on the Huffington post recounts a particular Thanksgiving: It was Thanksgiving evening and my entire family had gathered together for supper. While at supper it was completely silent. Everyone was checking their phones and it was as if my family members were irrelevant to one another (Alder). Thanksgiving is meant to be a time when families come together and give thanks. It’s a time where a family gets together to talk about what’s going on in their lives. For some it might be one of the rare occasions where they are united as one family. In Adler’s case, rather than his family talking to one another they were too distracted and feared not being connected.  The smartphone technology creates a social barrier, which limits face to face interaction.  Even in the day to day business world cellular usage has taken over.  A CNN reporter went around and interviewed various people about cell phone addiction: “Bud Kleppe, a 32-year-old real estate agent in St. Paul, Minnesota, said he can't be away from his BlackBerry for any amount of time. He's more likely to sell a home, he said, if he responds to client’s e-mails within 20 minutes and to texts instantly.” (Sutter)   People live in an age where if they need to find out information all it takes is a few clicks of a button. No longer are people required to read through books or flip through newspapers. Society wants information and they want it now. While it might be quicker and easier to find a house on the internet it lacks the physical face to face interaction. Pictures can only show so much about a house. Real estate agents trying to sell the house will deter from showing parts of a house that might otherwise change one’s mind. Whereas, if one was physically present at the house they would see the problems with the house and they might be more likely to think things over. Many individuals have trouble separating work from leisure time. Much of their vacation time is spent on their cell phones checking and responding to emails. A man while on a vacation with his family freaked out when he lost his phone:

 Jared, a 42 year- old business man, lost his work cellphone while on a family vacation in the snowy mountains and got really grumpy, then difficult to be around, then panicky. This went on for the whole day, with arguing and fighting between him and his wife about what he had to do to replace the phone, which involved leaving early and driving immediately to the phone store.... Jared was so worked up that he was convinced that he'd lost all of his contact information, many work related emails, and some important files. (Rosen 47-48)

Like Jared, many people need technology in order to function. Without it they transform into something that they’re not. The phone was found by his daughter, she feared the repercussions from her father in giving the phone back to him. It just goes to show how much individuals rely on their technology to get them through their day. Individuals may need to stay connected but at what cost they may ask themselves?

                As society’s need to communicate increases, social media has become one of the most popular ways of communicating, particularly social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. As these forums of media continue to grow, younger kids are embracing this technology. This in turn makes children more susceptible to bullying:

Because kids spend so much time communicating to their peers online, they may be losing social skills needed for real interactions with others. According to this view, the internet makes friendships seem more like abstractions or commodities than real human relationships. These circumstances, cyber bullies can regard their behavior as a casual thing that doesn’t have consequences in the real world. (Cyberbullying)

Since communicating through social networking has become a valid form of communication many kids use it to talk with their peers online. However, unlike in the classroom there is no one to stand up for these children, making it easier for the bully. In such cases since there is no face to face communication, it’s easier to say something online and get away with it: “In a recent study carried out by Microsoft 1 out of 10 teenagers said they had been bullied online.” (Engdahl 136) This study represents a growing trend and society must act before it is too late.  The laws are only beginning to catch up with cyber bullying: A mother created a fake Facebook account and bullied a friend of her daughters, which resulted in this girl committing suicide. No punishment was handed out. (Thomas 158-159)  At the time of the girl’s death there were no laws against cyberbullying. Even though laws were later passed to ensure that this would never happen again the mother could not be punished. Had there been laws preventing cyberbullying perhaps that young girl would still be alive today. Once something has been posted online there is no way of taking it back: “Once the comments are released to a worldwide audience at the click of "send” it's next to impossible to delete them and therefore there is no escape for the victim." (Rosen 136) These words will forever haunt them. The question one must ask themselves at the end of the day is, how does society prevent this technology from causing further harm?

            One of the fastest growing epidemics hitting the road ways today is texting while driving. Alarmingly according to a recent poll done by Harris: ”60% of drivers use cell phones while driving.”  (Harris Poll) This not only compromises the safety of the drivers themselves but also innocent bystanders. In a study recently carried out by the Pew Research it said:

 The Pew Internet and American life project published a 2009 report that focused specifically on teens and distracted driving. Among their findings were that nearly 75% of those ages 12 to 17 years old owned a cell phone. Of these, 34% admit to texting while driving. Additionally 48% of teens say they were passengers in the car when a driver was texting. Of these, 40% felt that sometimes cell phone use compromise safety of themselves or the safety of others. (Texting while driving)

Today it has become the social norm to text while driving. It is common to think nothing of texting while driving. It goes to show how much communication technology has taken over. Pew Research Study talks about how 40 percent of teenagers were passenger while the driver was texting and they felt their safety was compromised. However, they did not act they just allowed the driver to continue to jeopardize their safety. “Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that's enough, time to cover the length of a football field.” (VTTI) During that time frame a lot could go wrong. A person could lose control of their car, hit a person or animal. Shockingly, it states on the Edgar Snyder Law Attorneys website:  “According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, texting while driving kills 11 teens each day.” (Snyder)  That means 4,015 teenager die each year, due to careless distracted driving, which could’ve easily been prevented, had they been paying attention to the road. Individuals must ask themselves at the end of each and every day is a single text worth a life?

          The Nelson article exams the positive impact that technology has had on society. While there are some benefits to technology there argument had several flaws. One aspect they look at is speed:                       

Technology has amplified the rate at which we communicate with the world around us. Developments like email, instant messaging, texting, cell phones, twitter; social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace, and video conferencing have allowed us to connect with each other at breakneck speeds. This has helped us in some ways by allowing us to get in touch with each other quickly for both business and emergency needs. (Nelson)

As important as speed is when communicating in everyday lives this has caused people to become reckless. When people are mad they will tend to send nasty emails to another person that they may later regret. The worst part about this is the fact that there is no taking this back. A permanent digital record will be stored which may come back to haunt individuals in the future. The article also states that people can communicate more efficiently through emails:

Instead of having to have a long conversation with a client about his kids and home life before asking a quick question about an order, a brief and to-the-point email can be sent to accomplish the same task.” (Nelson)

While it might be quicker and easier to send a quick message it lacks social skills. In life people will not always have the ability to hide behind a device. When it comes to applying for a job, people need to be able to communicate to the employer about what their strengths and weakness are. If individuals don’t have the ability to communicate one to one, then they won’t get hired.

            John Sutter a reporter for CNN wrote an article that examined smartphones and their impact on people lives. He goes on to explain how technology has had an impact on his life. He then goes on to interviewed different people about their different experiences. One man recounts an entire hour where he was glued to his phone and had complete disregard of what was going on around him:

I'm just out of touch with reality sometimes because of my phone -- I can just look at all the apps and stuff like that and just dream about the iPad and whatever -- wishing my screen was bigger -- and without realizing it, well, I haven't said anything to my wife for an hour. It's not that great." (Sutter)

This goes to show peoples addiction with technology. People who are plugged in are in a trance and as technology becomes more prominent in their lives the further they will fall into it. Another person commented about how he has to carry his phone in his hands at all times. Otherwise it’s too risky and he may lose the opportunity to take a picture. (Sutter) This man cannot keep his phone in his pocket. He has to have it in his hands all the time. It’s like his security blanket. The question society must ask themselves has the use of technology gone too far?  

             Today as individuals head out into the world they are surrounded by the ever changing technology. While technology has allowed them to stay connected to the global economy it has come with a cost. As people head out into the world today they should ask themselves the following questions:
1. When at a restaurant with friends or family do they constantly check their phone?
2. Have they ever sent or posted something online that was offensive or made fun of another person?
 3. When driving down the highway have they ever glanced over to the car next to them and saw the driver texting?

If individuals were able to answer yes to any of the above, they must realize that communication technology accompanies consequences that can cause harm to others. Whether to connect or disconnect society must find a happy medium.

Works Cited

Adler, Warren. "The Smart Phone Addiction." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 02 Dec.   

                    2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2014

Cyberbullying." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Opposing

            Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 March. 2014.

Engdahl, Sylvia. Online Social Networking. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven, 2007. 136. Print

Jacobs, Thomas A. Teen Cyberbullying Investigated: Where Do Your Rights End and

            Consequences Begin? Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Pub., 2010. 158-59. Print

Nelson, Lauren. "How Does Technology Impact Communication?" EHow. Demand Media, 30 Apr. 2010.

                Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

Strauss, Susan. Sexual Harassment and Bullying: A Guide to Keeping Kids Safe and Holding Schools Accountable. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2012. 85-86. Print

Sutter, John D. "Smartphones: Our National Obsession." CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Oct.

2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.

Snyder, Edgar. "Statistics on Texting & Cell Phone Use While Driving." Edgarsnyder.com. Law Offices of

Edgar Snyder, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014

Rosen, Larry D., Nancy A. Cheever, and L. Mark. Carrier. IDisorder: Understanding Our

Obsession with Technology and Overcoming Its Hold on Us. New York: Palgrave

Macmillan, 2012. 47-48. Print.

"Texting While Driving." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2012.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 March. 2014

VTTI, and Harris Polls. "Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks." Texting and Driving Prevention. Ad Council,

n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

Mother's Day

 

Words of Wisdom: Balloon

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what is full. Scratch were it itches.
-Alice Roosevelt Longworth

If a glass is empty fill it. If a glass is fill empty it. This goes with anything in life. Take for example a balloon. In order for a balloon to take it's shape air must be blown into it. If a person blows too much air it will cause the balloon to pop. If the person blows to little air the balloon will become to flimsy. Where as if they blow just enough air the balloon will take it's shape and will float up into the world.

Day by day, night by night we come alive like fireworks glimmering in the sky.
At this moment we are infinite and free.
The past is far behind us and all that's in front of us is the sun rising upon the day.
We are like the moon upon this day, emulating the night sky.
As the wind  approaches from the distance it calls out: 'Seize the day for today is you're day!"
For at this moment we were born to be wild. 


  

Childhood

Envious are we of the moments that seem so long ago, yet remain so close in our hearts.

The moments where we were free as children, never having a burden the world .

The days where we wanted to be the superhero who would come to save  the damsel in distress;  or the  chivalrous knight  that slays  the fire breathing dragon.

Yet as we grow older our minds tend to wander less and less.

Chocolate paradises become faded memories  that are replaced with structure and order.

Although some of us hold onto her childhood imagination.

Those of us who do are like spider webs at present.

We remain still  but we have an everlasting beauty.

Were there to catch what is fallen or overlooked  and hang onto it  with all our might.

 What you put into your life is what you will get out. The harder you work the more you'll be able to achieve. The more you study the more that you'll know. For seniors graduating high school this is particularly important. All our lives we've been building a puzzle. Some of us may still be working on the corners of the puzzle. While the rest of us may have nearly completed the puzzle. A puzzle is never complete until you find the right pieces to go together. As is in life, until you understand and know what you want to do in you're life, you're going to be searching for the right piece that will ultimately  complete you're  puzzle. 

Silent Melody

With my guitar in my hand I began strumming away a silent melody that was carried in the breeze.
Like a leaf that is blown by the wind, the leaf can only go so far till  it falls to the ground.
The leaf will remain were it is until it is picked up by a person or caught on an accidental breeze.
Like the silent melody the leaf will fade away.
Yet is when the silent melody is carried by the wind that the melody can be heard at it's loudest.
Although to most people the melody is a nuance; as is the fall when the leaves start falling down.
People will pass by the leaves and disregard them thinking that it's not their responsibility to pick them up.
Or they will wait till the very last moment to pick them up, when the leaves are becoming dirt.
In a way, at some point in our lives we are all on lookers, bystanders of a society that ignores the silent melody and the leaves even when they were right in front of us our entire lives.

Unlocking Happiness

Throughout our journey on this earth we are in search of what makes us happy in this world. For some this realization comes easily while for others it might be more difficult. Take for example a lock and key, if we only have a lock but we do not the key we will spend our entire life trying to find the key.  In other words, in our lives people around us will tell us how to achieve happiness which in reality might not work for us. That's why one key doesn't always fit every lock. Say that we only have the key but not the lock, that means that we know what's going to make us happy in this world but don't how we are going to achieve it. One day we will find our lock and our key and when put together we will unlock our happiness.

Greed's Serpent

Greed is like a serpent; it slowly slithers to its target and when the moment is right it attacks.
It leaves behind venom that slowly begins to weaken you.
As you grow weaker your judgment becomes impaired and the serpent begins to consume you.
You try and fight back but it's too late because you're already dead.

All you wanted was to get ahead
But instead you've changed.
Because you've become something that you're not.

Money has gotten you caught
Like a fish on a hook.

When all you had to do was look in a book
To realize
It was never really worth it.
 

She stood there in the lunch room with the weight of the world hanging on her shoulders.
It was a weight she could not carry
And time and time again she would shrug it off
Yet even then the burden would never go away.
She'd put on a smile and never think twice.
Yet no one seemed to notice her.
She'd always put others happiness ahead of hers, which she always found fulfilling.
Though she always felt like something was missing.
Like a piece of a puzzle that you couldn't find the right place for.
So instead she wrote.
And she wrote.
Words on a page that would never make it to any stage.
Though she kept writing because words were like her safety net.
They were there to catch her when she fell and they were there to inspire others.
Yet they were never heard
Because her words had no voice
Had no barring
Yet her words spoke to her
And had barring
And had meaning
And had potential
But they were never heard.

 I am strong and I am resilient.
Yet I am delicate at my core.
As the days grow warmer people pass me by and I'm left unnoticed.
I can see the whole world from where I hang.
It's a beauty that is like no other.
As days turn into weeks the wind blows and the days get longer and colder.
Yet it is at this moment that my beauty ignites, like a fire burning wood.
I am like an ember, I rise high into the sky then fall to the ground and fade away as the days pass me by.

A castle

It was left in ruin, an ancient relic of long days passed.
On the side moss crawled up the building like ventricular veins.
Thousands of years passed and the building began to crumble like bread crumbs, left and disregarded.
A castle that was once so resilient and strong left and disregarded like a fading sunset in the far away distance.      

Words of Wisdom:Test

"Don't overlook life's small joys while searching for the big ones."
- H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Life is a quest of trying to find what makes us happy throughout our lives. Were constantly pursuing the bigger parts of  life, that society has set as an inherit standard of achieving universal happiness. We get so wrapped up in this quest that were not living our lives to the fullest.   It's like taking a test. If we spend most of our time working on the parts of the test that are worth the most, we leave little to no time to do the multiple choice. While individually a multiple choice question isn't worth very many points, if you skip over them there value impacts your final score. Now this is not to say that you shouldn't spend some of your time pursing the bigger parts, however, you must also set aside some time for the smaller parts that make the world of a difference.  

The Abandoned Cabin

In the darkness of night I set a stride towards the woods.
As I delved further into the woods, I came upon a snow covered trail.
I followed it till I reached an abandoned cabin.
The cabin was made of a fine wood that was smooth to the touch.
The wood was worn from age, yet it still had a faint aroma of maple.
The front porch was practically gone with the exception of the foundation.
As I got closer I noticed an old rusted lantern that had seen it's fair share of use.
Inscribed on the front door were the letters :"LM".
As I walked in through the front door everything inside was out of place.
Tables were turned over and chairs were tossed aside, it appeared that someone had left this cabin in a hurry, but for what reason remained unclear.
I stepped forward and the floorboards underneath me creaked with every step I took.
 All of a sudden the floorboards underneath me broke and I feel into a cement cellar.
A few feet in front of me there laid a cedar chest covered in dust.
I tried opening it but it was pad locked and on the lock "LM" was inscribed.
I began wonder who was this "LM" was it a person?
If so what happened to them?
Just as I was about to turn back around and find a way out, I noticed a small piece of paper lodged underneath the chest.
I opened the piece of paper and written in messy hand writing it said:
"They have been after me for months because of what I did. I've told them I had no part of it. I was set up but they don't believe me. If you've found this letter that means that they have captured me. Inside the cedar chest I have evidence that will prove my innocence. However I lost the key in the woods and I need you to find it. Only you can help me.
Regards,
LM
P.S: Don't tell anyone about this note. Otherwise they will go after you as well.

Who was this person and what did they do?
Why is the letter so vague?
All these questions yet no clear answers.
I knew what I had to do.
I had to help this person and help them prove their innocence.
I don't know if this is my destiny or my fate, I guess I'll just have to wait and see....

To be continued...
   

Down by the River

He went down by the river and followed the stream till he reached it's end.
He turned around and gazed at the river and watched as the water flowed down stream.
He looked across the river and decided that he wanted to get to the other side.
As he tried wading across the river, the current was to powerful so he turned around.
He walked upstream to try and find a crossing but was unable to.
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a flower floating away downstream.
He went and grabbed it and was overtaken by an indescribable emotion.
He thought to himself, how could something so simple yet so beautiful endure such a journey?
Why isn't this flower in pieces just like everything else floating down stream?
It occurred to him that even when there appears to be no hope there is still beauty left in this world.
As the sunset he put the flower back into the water, casting it free to share it's beauty in the days ahead.

Everyone has a story

 

Throughout our lives

we are faced

with a great deal of challenges.

Some of which will

shape us into

who we are

today.

We all come from different
places.

Some of us live

a privileged life,
while the rest of us

work as hard as we can
to make ends
meet.

We all travel down a pathway,

some paths are longer than others.

For some people the path they want

isn’t the path they get.

We all fall under categories,

stereotypes

that  society labels

us as.
We can choose to allow

these stereotypes

to define us

or we can choose

to shape our own path

our own life

and
     our own identity.