Lazy Students

I can never understand why students are not more proactive in their own education, especially on the college level. Most students these days wait until the very last minute to get their books for school, and some even wait longer to get the bare necessities like notebooks and pens.

Materials for school are not so much optional as they are a necessity. When you pay a certain amount of money for your education, whether it is you who is paying or you have a trust fund, you should make the very best of it. Today's student seem to see their education as a lax time to talk with friends and make new Facebook buddies. But when the harsh reality of the job market hits them they will know that it is always better to be ready or at least a few step ahead of the rest of the class so that you are not surprised by anything.

Why are people against giving?

I never thought I’d see the day when people would turn against giving for a good cause. It’s one thing to decide not to give your money to homeless people, but when it comes to children, it should be a different case.

I was helping out a friend by canvassing for Save The Children, and I realized that most Americans hate the idea of giving. A lot of people slammed their doors in our faces and a few shouted at us to get off their property. And it seems like the people with the biggest houses are the ones most against giving.

I mean these people with their mansions just have no compassion. People are out there regardless of weather trying to raise money to save children all over the world, but what they run into are insensitive morons who just can’t imagine anyone in this world being poor. I certainly hope that 2009 turns out to be a better year for giving. It feels good to give, even if you feel that you don’t have enough yourself. As some would say, when you give, you get back in return.

Youtube and Hate

There are a lot of haters on Youtube these days. I think it’s pathetic for people to hide behind a computer to spew all their evil thoughts. Honestly if you are going to hate on people you should have the guts to go face to face and tell them.

It seems a lot of people have a problem with interracial relationships. I don’t understand where people get all their hate from. You should not just repeat the things your parents tell you. You should get your own experiences and make up your mind from that. People need to stop teaching their children to hate.

Just because an adult has a certain point of view, does not mean that a child should carry those same views, and the adults should not make the children carry those views. Remember what Khalil Gibran said in ‘The Prophet’ “your kids do not belong to you” so let them make up their own minds.

As for the young people with all the hate in them, shame on you. It’s okay to love your race and your heritage. That is a personal decision that you have made, but you shouldn’t look down on someone who happens to date outside of his or her race. Individuals will select mates according to their preferences, so if a white woman happens to prefer a black guy, then she will date a black guy, and it a black woman happens to prefer a white guy, then that is who she will date. Preference does not always equal exclusivity, so it does not mean that these women will never date their own race.

I think it is tragically sad that people will use Youtube as a way to spread hate, but I give kudos to those who will stand on their own ground and refuse to be deterred by the negative voices out there.

Duffy-Rockferry Deluxe Edition

When Amy Winehouse first came out I was not sure if anyone would be able to top her, or even follow her, but I believe Duffy is the second coming of Winehouse.

Duffy’s album, Rockferry is the type of collection that tends to surprise me. I had already heard her hit single Mercy several times, and that prompted me to buy her album, but when I listened to the album, it was a completely different experience.

Her song Serious reminded me of Winehouse with the coarse-like voice, but it was truly Duffy’s because I found the lyrics to be uncomplicated and innocent unlike Winehouse’s dark and moody lyrics.

Duffy may not be endearing to adults who prefer the dark melodic fare on Winehouse’s album, but I found her to be quite a relief after all the debacles that followed Winehouse. I think there is a song on that album for every single person, regardless of their music taste.

Top Five New Years Resolutions For Those Turning Twenty-Four in 2009

Come to terms with the fact that you are getting old
Twenty-four is just a year away from twenty-five so you need to come to the realization that you are getting old and things aren’t going to be as fun as they used to be. From this point on more things will be expected of you. People will stop addressing you as “the kid” and your mistakes will be harshly judged because you are the cusp of true maturity.

Get your finances together
At twenty-four, you should really start getting your finances together. You should calculate your debts and really make the effort to start paying them off. You don’t want to reach the latter part of your twenties still worrying about the bills you have to pay and that school loan that’s still sitting in the back of your mind. Get with a debt counselor and make some changes right now.

Get in shape
In your early twenties you could eat all you want and not care about what it did to your body, but now you have to really care about the things you put in your mouth. You need to get your body in shape. This would be a good time to get into the habit of working out regularly so that when you reach your thirties, you are better prepared to deal with your body’s changes.

Clean your apartment or move out of mom’s basement
If you are still living with your mother, perhaps now is a good time to move out. Move in with your girlfriend or a really good friend. And if you have a good job and make decent money, move into your own place. If you already have your own place, then clean it up and make it look presentable. You are no longer a kid. Now you need a true bachelor or bachelorette pad so that people know you are serious about moving up in your life.

Stop Procrastinating
Procrastination is the reason why you never got anything done before, so now is the time to change that. At twenty-four you should be on the path towards your future. You need to start making moves and drive yourself to get things done before it’s too late.

Christmas-What do people do?

I've always wondered what people do for Christmas. I suppose each family has a certain way of celebrating, while others don't celebrate at all. In my family Christmas eve is what it's all about. There is usually a lot of music and food with lots of guests and then the traditional opening of presents in the morning.

I have a friend whose family simply watches A Christmas Story on Christmas eve and then open the gifts in the morning. There is no question about which tradition is more entertaining, but I gather the simpler tradition is the easiest to handle -very little clean up at the end.

Christmas day is always weird, because you get the feeling that you should spend time with your family, but you can only take so much of someone's personality over a two day period. PATIENCE.